House crows, also known as Indian, grey-necked Ceylon or Colombo crows, are not native to Australia and are a declared pest.
If they became established in Western Australia, the pest could cause severe damage to vegetable and fruit crops, prey on native birds’ chicks and eggs, as well as attack and harass livestock and other animals.
Department or Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Regional Biosecurity Coordinator Tim Stevens said community reports would support department surveillance to ensure house crows did not become established in Western Australia.
“Community surveillance is a vital part of identifying and containing declared pests that have the potential to impact on our agricultural industries and the environment,” he said.
“The more people we have looking for pests, the quicker we can find them to limit their impact and spread.”
House crows are similar in body shape to Australian native crows but smaller and more slender, with a black glossy plumage, black eyes, legs and feet.
They have a black bill, with a strongly curve upper beak, while their nape, neck and lower breast are grey tones and not glossed.
Sightings of house crows or other unusual birds can be reported via DPIRD’s Pest and Diseases Information Service via the MyPestGuide Reporter app, telephone 9368 3080 or email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au.
More information about house crows can be found on the DPIRD website.
