Photo · (c) Sockrosma, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Torresian Crow

Corvus orruBonaparte, 1850

Updated 11 June 2026

Also known asWunda

Least ConcernNative

Order: PASSERIFORMES
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Corvus

At a glance

The Torresian Crow is a large bird, about 46–51 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size: 46–51 cm
Conservation status: Least Concern
Origin: Native
Best seen: Year-round
Commonness: Very common

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Torresian Crow look like?

The Torresian Crow is a large bird, about 46–51 cm long and weighing 500–700 g, identified by its snow-white feather bases (neck & head); stark, clean white iris (adult); short, smooth throat hackles; and broad, square-tipped tail.

The Torresian crow, also called the Papuan crow, is a passerine bird in the crow family native to the north, east, and west of Australia and nearby islands in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The species has black plumage and white irises in adults. It is common in tropical and subtropical regions, including urban areas of the east coast. The Torresian crow is slightly larger with a more robust bill than the morphologically similar little crow.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

01
Snow-white feather bases (neck & head)
Visible when feathers are ruffled by wind or during preening.
02
Stark, clean white iris (adult)
Brilliant white eye, often with a fine blue eye-ring visible at close range. Juveniles have dark eyes.
03
Short, smooth throat hackles
Lacks the long, shaggy throat feathers of some similar-looking corvids, giving the throat a sleek profile.
04
Broad, square-tipped tail
Appears blunt or straight-edged when folded or fanned, rather than wedge-shaped or rounded.

Field specs

Length: 46–51 cm
Weight: 500–700 g
Wingspan: 100 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

Immediately after alighting on a perch, look for a characteristic wing-shuffle where the bird quickly flips or shuffles its wings upward two or three times.

plumage

When the bird ruffles its head and neck feathers or in strong winds, a concealed layer of diagnostic snow-white feather bases is revealed.
Adults feature glossy black plumage and stark white eyes, while juveniles under nine months old have duller feathers and dark blue eyes.

size_and_shape

The tail is broad with a notably square-cut tip when folded or fanned, and the throat feathers (hackles) are short and inconspicuous.

voice

Listen for a series of high-pitched, rapid, and clipped 'uk-uk-uk-uk' or 'ark-ark-ark' calls that may end with a prolonged downward note.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Torresian Crow?

The Torresian Crow is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

Barb · Sinnamon Park QLD, Australia

Call

Sockrosma · Stanley St, South Brisbane, QLD, AU

Call

Patrick Connolly · UQ Lakes station, St Lucia QLD 4067, Australia

Call

Barb · Annerley QLD, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Torresian Crow eat?

The Torresian Crow feeds on seeds, terrestrial invertebrates, terrestrial vertebrates, carrion and intertidal invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

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