This is the third of the Birds of Silvermine Series.
An indigenous medium to large bird, the Pied Crow is found across much of sub-Saharan Africa and in South Africa has a close affiliation with urban and rural settlements, road networks and electricity and cellular infrastructure. Recent evidence indicates that the population of these social birds has grown steadily in parts of the country, most significantly in the Northern Cape. The growth can be attributed to a number of factors, such as climate change, altered land-use practices and an expanding road and power network. 
Over the years, the Pied Crow has gained a somewhat unsavoury reputation in some quarters, particularly among farmers. It is a highly intelligent and adaptable species, capable of colonising new environments that were inaccessible to it before humans came and developed them; in the Northern Cape, for example, it has quickly capitalised on the advent of tall electricity pylons and cell-phone towers. As generalist predators, these crows are known to feed on reptiles, small mammals, carrion and even newborn lambs. Their impact on agriculture is relatively well documented and has led to small-scale efforts – often in vain – to eradicate them from the farming landscape. Unfortunately, most control methods are indiscriminate, if not illegal, and often lead to incidental persecution of endangered animals.
Furthermore, limited research into the biology of Pied Crows has preliminarily highlighted their impact on young tortoises, small nesting birds and even large nesting vultures. The evidence is anecdotal, but they are known to aggressively mob large birds of prey and have been seen plucking tail feathers from raptors in flight. The increasing number of conflicts and resulting physiological and psychological impacts on young raptors could become debilitating.
Although evidence seems to be mounting against this ‘native invader’, the exact role that Pied Crows play in the environment is still poorly understood. As one of the few avian scavengers remaining in the Karoo landscape, their activities as the road-kill clean-up crew may be substantially more important than we currently understand. So before any lethal control methods can be proposed, we need to refine our understanding of the biology of the species. In the meantime, its close affiliation with anthropogenic infrastructure and its reliance on waste should be the starting point of an action plan. Improving the waste management systems around towns and rural settlements will limit the consistent source of food required by large flocks of Pied Crows and their chicks. Similarly, better infrastructure management will limit the number of available nesting sites and reduce breeding attempts.
KYLE WALKER, RAPTOR AND LARGE TERRESTRIAL BIRD PROJECT MANAGER
Wildlife experts John Marzluff and Tony Angell expose crow intelligence in their 2012 book, Gifts of the Crows, writing “Corvids assume characteristics that were once ascribed only to humans, including self-recognition, insight, revenge, tool use, mental time travel, deceit, murder, language, play, calculated risk taking, social learning, and traditions. We are different, but by a degree.” Marzluff also led research which found crows can even recognize human faces.
Take the path at the trailhead S 34° 06.018 E 18° 26.020 to find the 5 bird caches along the route.
Take the well-defined path to the large protea bush at the start of the rocks. Look in the rocks on the west side of the bush.
BYOP