FORKTAIL 32 (2016): 41-53 A review of the distribution and population of the Collared Crow Corvus torquatus PAUL J. LEADER, DAVID J. STANTON, RICHARD W. LEWTHWAITE & JONATHAN MARTINEZ Abstract: The Collared Crow Corvus torquatus is a species largely restricted to China and is currently listed as Near Threatened. This paper reviews historical changes in the distribution of Collared Crow in China and, based on modern records from China, Vietnam and Taiwan, provides the first systematic global population estimate for the species. Based on field surveys in Guangdong province, China, during 2003-2014, evidence is presented that shows it is absent from vast areas of habitat suitable for the species in that province and indicates that a previous population estimate made in 2007 by BirdLife International, based on an extrapolation of numbers from one of its strongholds in Hong Kong, is flawed. A revised population of less than 2,000 individuals is substantially less than the 15,000-30,000 previously estimated, and it is recommended that the species be uplisted to Vulnerable. INTRODUCTION square grid based on that used for Hong Kong (see Carey et al. 2001). Within each square a minimum of two hours continuous The Collared Crow Corvus torquatus is found mainly in the People’s observation was spent in suitable habitat. The Collared Crow is Republic of China, being resident in the south and east, reaching known to prefer low-lying areas, and shows a very strong association southern Hebei in the north-east, Gansu in the west and Yunnan with wetlands including agricultural areas (particularly rice fields), and Hainan in the south-west (Cheng 1987, BirdLife International riverine plains, lightly wooded country near water or marshes, 2016). Outside mainland China, it is known only from northern fishponds and coastal areas (including mudflats, rocky and sandy Vietnam and Taiwan, where it is restricted to Kinmen Island (just shores). It generally avoids more heavily wooded or hilly country off the coast of mainland China) and the main island of Taiwan, and developed areas such as parks, gardens and towns (Madge & where it is accidental (Brazil 2009, BirdLife International 2016). Burn 1994, Carey et al. 2001, Carey 2009, BirdLife International It is currently listed as Near Threatened on the basis that the global 2016, Madge 2016). The survey methodology was fluid to allow population is experiencing a moderately rapid and ongoing decline for differences in terrain and infrastructure, but generally followed (BirdLife International 2016). roads and paths with prolonged scans of open country, estuaries, This paper reviews the historical distribution of the species and beaches and mudflats as required. Areas of potentially suitable presents an up-to-date summary of its distribution and population. habitat were identified through a combination of local knowledge, a review of maps and/or aerial images, and cold searching. Although the survey period was long (12 years), which could potentially lead METHODS to an over-estimate of the number of individuals present, given the low numbers recorded during the surveys any over-estimate is not Historical literature review (1855-1980) considered significant. The authors carried out an extensive review of the historical litera¬ ture (including Chinese ornithological literature) on the distribu¬ tion and population of the Collared Crow in China from 1855 to RESULTS 1980, commencingwith Robert Swinhoe’s first records from China to the end of the period covered by Cheng (1987). Historical literature review (1855-1980) The Collared Crow was formerly common and widespread on the Review of recent records (2003-2014) coast and in the lowlands throughout much of southern China, Records of Collared Crow for the period from 2003 to 2014 were south to Hainan and west to central Guangxi; its distribution collated. These were sourced from the published literature; from also extended north to Beijing and west to northern Shaanxi, west online requests for records from Birdforum (http://www.bird- Sichuan and eastern Yunnan (Appendix 1). Armand David, who forum.net/showthread.php?t=288068), ChinaBirdnet.com and travelled widely in the north, west and south of China between Oriental Birding ([email protected]); from online 1862 and 1874, considered it ‘one of the most characteristic birds databases BirdTalker (http://birdtalker.net) and eBird (http://ebird. of the Chinese avifauna ... particularly widespread in southern org); and from direct requests for information. Where necessary, provinces ... sedentary’ (David & Oustalet 1877). observers of online records were contacted to request permission Other authors who provided first-hand accounts of the species to publish their data. If this could not be obtained such records in southern China between the 1850s and 1930s also regarded it were summarised and the reader is referred back to the original as resident and without exception used terms such as ‘common’, source. Where a number of birds was given as a range (e.g. 10-20), ‘very common’, ‘frequently occurs’, ‘often met with’, ‘abounds’, the lower figure was used. From these records the highest count ‘large numbers’ or ‘assembling by the hundreds’ when describing from each site was taken and these were summed to arrive at a total its abundance. The localities referred to included Xiamen, Fujian, population estimate. in the 1850s (Swinhoe 1860); Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Macau in 1860 (Swinhoe 1861a); the lowlands of north and north-west Surveys in Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong province Hainan in 1868 (Swinhoe 1870); the entire Lower Yangtse Field surveys were carried out in the Hong Kong Special basin from eastern Hubei to the delta in the 1880s (Styan 1891); Administrative Region (hereafter Hong Kong), the Macau Special Fuzhou and Shantou on the Fujian-Guangdong coast in the Administrative Region (hereafter Macau) and Guangdongprovince 1880s and 1890s (La Touche 1892, Streich 1903, La Touche & during the period 2003-2014; additional data were sourced from Rickett 1905); Zhenjiang, Jiangsu in the early 1900s (La Touche other reliable observers. Surveys were carried out using a 5 x 5 km 1906-1907); Hong Kong, Macau, the Pearl River Delta, the 42 PAUL J. LEADER etal. Forktail 32 (2016) North River north to Shaoguan, and the West River from the Review of recent records (2003-2014) Pearl River Delta through western Guangdong to central Guangxi Records were collated from mainland China, Taiwan and Vietnam in the years 1900-1908 (Vaughan & Jones 1913); Shasi, Hubei for the period 2003-2014. The peak count from each individual site in 1917-1919 (La Touche 1922); Jiangsu and Anhui south of the was taken and summing these counts provides population estimates Yangtse in 1921-1922 (Koltoff 1932); the lowlands of Guangxi in of 1,709 individuals for China, 18 for Taiwan and 120 for Vietnam, the years 1927-1931 (Yen 1933-1934); Nanjing, Jiangsu in 1930 a total of 1,847 individuals. The locations of records are shown in (Ascherson 1930); Zhejiang in the early 1930s (Shaw 1934) and Figure 1 and summarised in Table 1 and a detailed breakdown of the north and south-west Guangdong in the early 1930s (Yen 1932, records is provided in Appendix 2. The provinces/municipalities in Jabouille 1935). The above accounts paint a consistent picture of a China with the largest populations were Henan (451 individuals), common and widespread species. Hong Kong (362), Hubei (223), Anhui (170) and Zhejiang (146). Its abundance on the South China coast and along the Yangtse In Taiwan it was restricted to Kinmen Island (about 25 km east was not matched at Shanghai, where it was only found occasionally of the coast of mainland China) with a population estimate of 18 (Sowerby 1943). North of the Yangtse River, it was recorded in individuals. In Vietnam 120 individuals were reported from Cao Beijing in 1860 and 1900-1901 (Swinhoe 1861b, 1863, Walton Bang province. 1903), Sichuan in 1868-1869 (David 1871), Hebei at least up to the The distribution pattern broadly matches that in the published 1920s (Wilder & Hubbard 1924), Shandong in the 1920s (LeFevre literature, covering an area of 2,400,000 km2 (excluding isolated 1962), Henan in the 1930s (Fu 1937), Shaanxi in 1957-1958 (Cheng records from Beijing and Hebei which were considered by the et al. 1962), and on unknown dates in Shanxi, Gansu, Guizhou observers to be wandering individuals). Of particular note were and north-east Yunnan (Cheng 1987). Except in Henan, where Fu the numbers from the Dabie Shan in central China. Large numbers (1937) stated that it was common on the plains, it was generally were reported from Shangcheng, Gushi and Huaibin counties, considered to be much less common in the north of its range than Henan province, between 4-10 December 2014, with an estimated in the south. 400-500 individuals in a total of more than 7,000 crows, including In the late 1950s, when the study of birds resumed following a Carrion Crow C. corone, Large-billed Crow C. macrorhynchus, period ot invasion and civil war, ornithology in China was largely Daurian Jackdaw C. dauuricus and Rook C.frugilegus. Interviews concerned with ascertaining whether a particular species was with local villagers revealed that Collared Crows were very common harmful or beneficial to farming and forestry, and the status and in the area (Henan Wild Bird Society in litt. 30 January 2015). distribution of the Collared Crow was much less clear. However, the The Dabie Shan range covers Henan, Hubei and Anhui provinces fact that the stomach contents of 63 Collared Crows were analysed (Figure 1) and Liu et al. (2008) listed Collared Crow from all in one study alone in Fujian in 1957 (Cheng 1963), indicated that three areas during 2004-2006. Based on the data presented here, the species was still present in good numbers locally in China in 525 birds were recorded in the Dabie Shan—Henan (412), Hubei the late 1950s. (109) and Anhui (4). These records indicate that the Dabie Shan Figure I.The distribution of Collared Crow records 2003-2014 (the main stronghold in the Dabie Shan is outlined). Forktail 32 (2016) A review of the distribution and population of the Collared Crow Corvus torquatus 43 r Kilometers 100 150 200 Shaoguan Qingyuan Mcizhou Heyuan Chaozhou Zhaoqing Huizhou Jieyarg Shantou iuongzhou :oshan Shanwci Dongguan[ Zhongshan Jiangmen lZhuho!*& Yangjiang Maoming Zhonjiang | Absent I Present Figure 2. The distribution of Collared Crow records in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau 2003-2014 (the grid is 5 km x 5 km and the presence or absence of Collared Crows is shown). is currently the most important stronghold for the species with Appendix 1), is indicative of a major decline in both abundance about 30% of the total population, followed by Hong Kong with and distribution. There are clear indications of similar declines about 20%. in other provinces, notably Chongqing, Fujian, Hainan (where it was last recorded in 1963), Hebei, Jiangsu, Macau and Shaanxi. Surveys of Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong province There are no recent records from Shandong, Shanghai, Shanxi and In total 714 squares (5 km x 3 km) were surveyed in Guangdong Tianjin, hence, although the historical literature suggests it was (605), Macau (3) and Hong Kong (106). Of the 21 prefectures in never common in these provinces, this would indicate a reduction Guangdong province 17 were surveyed, and 9% of all squares in in the range of the species. Guangdong, Macau and Hong Kong were surveyed. The results of The revised population estimate presented here of less than the surveys are summarised in Table 2, and the squares surveyed 2,000 individuals is substantially lower than the current population shown in Figure 2. In Guangdong the species was recorded from estimate of 15,000-30,000 individuals (BirdLife International 12 squares, of which 10 were in Shenzhen (immediately to the 2016). This estimate was largely based on the assumption that north of Hong Kong) and the others were from Yangjiang county its distribution and abundance in Hong Kong is mirrored across (four individuals) and Huizhou county (a single bird). Records the rest of its range (S. Chan in litt. 2007, BirdLife International in Shenzhen and Huizhou county came from large reservoirs 2016), and whilst it could be argued that there are populations surrounded by orchards or shrubland. The four birds in Yangjiang which remain to be discovered, given that this is a large, readily county were on a small cultivated plain with extensive rice fields. identifiable, open-country species it is considered untenable that a The plain itself was surrounded by low (100-300 m) hills, mostly further 13,000-28,000 have been overlooked. In Guangdongit was covered by shrubland and small orchards. It is noteworthy that such recorded in 12 (2%) of 605 squares surveyed, with 15 individuals habitats were regularly encountered in other areas, but no Collared recorded, whereas in Hong Kong 362 individuals were recorded in Crows were found. 38 (36%) of 106 squares surveyed. Large areas of Guangdong not In Hong Kong it was recorded from 38 of the squares surveyed, surveyed consist of extensive tracts of habitat unsuitable for this and there were no records from Macau. species and, although not included in the surveys described here, the hills and forests of Guangdong are relatively well surveyed and there are very few records from these areas. In a comprehensive DISCUSSION review of birds at nine forest sites in south-east China between 1984 and 1996, Lewthwaite (1996) reported the species trom The findings presented here give a clear picture of the decline of only one site, Ba Bao Shan, in Guangdong, where up to three were the Collared Crow. The current situation in Guangdong province, seen at 600 m on two dates in June and December. This situation where it was once clearly much more common and widespread (see was confirmed by Lee et al. (2006) who did not record Collared 44 PAUL J. LEADER etal. Forktail 32 (2016) Table 1. Summary of all records of Collared Crow during the period Based on the population estimate in Table 1, and taking an 2003-2014. indicative range of40-80% as a guide for the probable proportion The list of provinces and municipalities includes all those with historical records. of non-breeding birds in Collared Crow populations, the number Historical status: * uncommon; ** uncommon to common; *** common to very common of mature individuals (20-60% of the population) would be in Province/Municipality Total number % of total the range of 400-1,100 birds. This is substantially lower than the Mainland China estimate of 10,000-19,999 mature individuals provided by BirdLife Anhui*** 170 9.2 International (2016). Beijing* 2 0.1 The exact timing of the decline in Collared Crow numbers Chongqing*** 15 0.8 in China is difficult to pinpoint. However, it is likely that major Fujian*** 71 3.8 changes in agricultural practices in the 1950s have contributed Gansu* 20 1.1 significantly and, whilst current threats are unclear, it is assumed Guangdong*** 29 1.6 that loss of food supply owing to agricultural intensification and Guangxi*** 86 4.6 an associated over-use of pesticides remain major problems. The Guizhou* 22 1.2 low numbers in Guangdong province relative to the numbers in Hainan*** - - Hong Kong would indicate that this is an ongoing constraint. Hebei** 1 0.1 Persecution in some areas by humans is a casual factor (BirdLife Henan*** 451 24.4 International 2016, Madge 2016) and it is traded at markets in Hong Kong*** 362 19.6 southern China, although the scale of such trade is unknown Hubei*** 223 12.1 (Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden 2004). However, some declines Hunan* 9 0.5 are much more recent. For example, at Kinmen Island, Taiwan, Jiangsu*** 8 0.4 up to 176 individuals were recorded in 1989 but it has declined Jiangxi* 12 0.6 significantly since then (BirdLife International 2016) to a current Macau*** 3 0.2 population of about 18 individuals (Table 2). Based on the findings Shanxi* - - of this study, this alone accounts for a decline of about 8% in the Shandong* - world population. Shanghai* - - Shaanxi* 48 2.6 Conservation status Sichuan** 25 1.4 As noted above, both the population estimate and number of Tianjin* - - mature adults given by BirdLife International (2016) are considered Yunnan* 6 0.3 to be major over-estimates and a review of the threat status for Zhejiang** 146 7.9 Collared Crow is required. Applying IUCN Red List criteria, the Taiwan number of mature individuals is probably best placed in the 2,500- Fujian 18 1.0 10,000 range. It is difficult to clearly determine subpopulations Vietnam Cao Bang 120 6.5 Table 2. Summary of coverage and results of surveys conducted in Total 1,847 100.0 Guangdong province, Macau and Hong Kong 2003-2014. No. of 5 km Crow in surveys of 54 forest areas in southern China, including No. of 5 km squares in which Total no. of Guangdong. More significantly, Zou & Ye (2016), in a review of Prefecture/Administrative squares Collared Crows individuals Region surveyed were recorded recorded all historical records for Guangdong province, listed it from only 15 locations; Guangzhou, Shaoguan, Shenzhen (four sites), Zhuhai, Guangzhou 34 Shantou, Zhaoqing, Huizhou, Meijing River, Heyuan, Yangjiang, Shenzhen 64 10 15 Qingyuan and Yanfu City. Qingyuan 4 It is of note that in contrast to the Collared Crow, the Shaoguan 61 Large-billed Crow remains a common and widespread species Heyuan None in Guangdong province (pers. obs.). This is thought to be due to Meizhou None differences in habitat preference, with Large-billed Crow found Chaozhou 7 mostly in hill forest whereas Collared Crow occurs largely in the Zhaoqing 44 lowlands, which inevitably brings it close to human habitation, thus Yunfu 2 making it more vulnerable to persecution and secondary poisoning. Foshan 10 Corvid populations typically include a proportion of non¬ Dongguan 10 breeding birds and, whilst the breeding ecology of Collared Crow Huizhou 33 1 1 is little-known, studies of similar species such as Carrion Crow Shanwei 19 and American Crow C. brachyrhynchos indicate that breeding Jieyang None commences when birds are two years old and that a high proportion Shantou 8 of the populations of both species are non-breeding birds (Roselaar Zhanjiang 127 1994, McGowan 1997). Estimates of the proportion of non-breeding Maoming 32 birds in Carrion Crow populations include 77% in Sweden, 50-73% Yangjiang 56 1 4 in Scotland and 40% in France; however, the proportion of non¬ Jiangmen 77 breeding birds could be even higher than this as non-breeding birds Zhongshan None are known to form scattered flocks and even hold territories (Roselaar Zhuhai 17 1994). Detailed surveys at a roost at Mai Po Nature Reserve, Hong Macau 3 Kong, indicate that between 49-91% of the population remain in Hong Kong 106 38 362 communal roosts over the breeding season (Stanton et al. in prep.) Total 714 50 382 and are therefore presumably non-breeding birds. Forktail 32 (2016) A review of the distribution and population of the Collared Crow Corvus torquatus 45 and it could be argued that, given the lack of geographical barriers, Cheng T. H. (1941a) Notes on bird observations during the summer along the the species should be treated as one subpopulation linked by Shaowu Stream in North Fukien. Peking Nat. Hist. Bull. 15 (3): 235-241. dispersal. With less than 10,000 individuals, a continuing decline, (In Chinese.) and all mature individuals in the same subpopulation, it would Cheng T. H. (1941b) A winter census of birds along the Shaowu Stream in therefore qualify as Vulnerable under C2(a)(ii). As such it is North Fukien. Peking Nat. Hist. Bull. 16 (1): 85-90. (In Chinese.) proposed that Collared Crow be uplisted from Near Threatened Cheng T. H. (1960) Birds of Huang Shan mountain in Anhuei Province. to Vulnerable. Chinese J.Zool. 4:10-14. (In Chinese.) Cheng T. H„ ed. (1963) China's economic fauna: birds. Beijing: Science Further research Publishing Society. (In Chinese.) There are clearly major gaps in our understanding of the ecology Cheng T. H. (1987) A synopsis of the avifauna of China. Beiji ng: Science Press. of Collared Crow and a more detailed understanding of habitat Cheng T. H. &Tan Y. K. (1973) On the birds of Hainan. II. Passeriformes. Acta requirements (beyond a preference for wetlands) and the breeding Zool. Sinica 19: 405-416. (In Chinese.) ecology of the species are required. In particular, studies of the Cheng T. H., Cheng P. L., Cha F. C., Wang S. M., Yin T. Y., Chia H. K. & Chien, Y. age of first breeding and proportions of non-breeding birds are W. (1960-1961) A preliminary survey of birds of Hunan province. Acta critical to an adequate assessment of its status. Further surveys in Zool. Sinica 12: 293-319,13: 97-121. (In Chinese.) the Dabie Shan to investigate seasonal variation in numbers and Cheng T. H., Chien Y. W., Kuan K. T. & Chen F. K. (1962) An avifaunal survey of habitat utilisation are recommended. Surveys in northern Vietnam the Tsingling and Ta-pa-shan region. Acta Zool. Sinica 14 (3): 361-380. looking for additional sites for the species are also recommended. (In Chinese.) Finally, communal roosts in Hong Kong have been counted on a Cheng T. H., Tan Y. K„ Liang C. Y. & Chang C. F. (1963) Studies on birds of systematic basis for a number of years and such counts enable long¬ Mount Omei and their vertical distribution. Acta Zool. Sinica 15:317-335. term population trends to be assessed (Stanton etal. 2014); studies (In Chinese.) of similar roosts elsewhere would be welcome. Cheng T. H., Tan Y. K. & Li Y. H. (1965) On the avifauna of northwestern Szechwan. Acta Zool. Sinica 17:435-450. (In Chinese.) China Ornithological Society (2004) China bird report 2003. Beijing: China ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Ornithological Society. China Ornithological Society (2005) China bird report 2004. Beijing: China We thank the following: for help with locating books and papers, F. E. Warr Ornithological Society. and Alison Harding (BMNH), Linda Birch (Edward Grey Institute, Oxford China Ornithological Society (2006) China bird report 2005. Beijing: China University) and Inter-Library Loan staff (Chinese University of Hong Kong); Ornithological Society. for help with translation from Chinese, Y.-L. Mo-yung and Grace Yang. China Ornithological Society (2008) China bird report 2007. Beijing: China Thanks to Katherine Leung for help with obtaining information through Ornithological Society. ChinaBirdnet, Tommy Hui for help with collation and translating website Chong L.T. (1936) Notes on some birds of Honan and south Anhwei. Sinensia data, and Jenny Hui and Lag Wan for help with mapping. Jonathan Eames 7 (4): 459-470. and Pan Chih Yuan provided details of sightings in Vietnam and Taiwan Chong L. T. (1938) Birds of Nanking and its vicinity. Part I. Cont. Biol. Lab. respectively, and Rob Martin provided helpful feedback on a draft manuscript. Science Soc. 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Fan Memorial Inst. from https://www.flickr.eom/photos/110648625@N05/11784735236/ Biol. 5: 285-338. in/photostream/] on 24/08/2014. Slater, FI. FI. (1882) Notes on a collection of birds on the River Yang-tse- Lee K. S., Lau M. W. N, Fellowes, J. R. & Chan B. P. L (2006) Forest bird fauna kiang. /fo/s 24(3): 431-436. of South China: notes on current distribution and status. Forktail 22: Sowerby, A. de C. (1943) Birds recorded from or known to occur in the 23-38. Shanghai area. Notes d'Orithologie Musee Heude. 1: 1-212. LeFevre, R. H. (1962) The birds of Northern Shantung province, China. Stanton, D. J., Smith, B. R. & Leung K. K. S. (2014) Status and roosting Printed privately. characteristics of Collared Crow Corvus torquatus at the Mai Po Nature Lewthwaite, R. W. (1996) Forest birds of southeast China. Hong Kong Bird Reserve, Flong Kong. Forktail 30: 79-83. Report 1995: 150-203. Streich, J. (1903) Die Avifauna eines Gartens in Swatau, Sud-China. J. Orn. Li G. Y., Liu L.C., Zhang R. Y. & Zhang Q. M. (1976) On the avifauna of Baoxing, 51:515-527. Sichuan. Acta Zoo!. Sinica 22 (1): 101-114. (In Chinese.) Styan, F. W. (1891) On the birds of the Lower Yangtse Basin. Ibis 6(3): 316-359, Li J. H„ Tang Z. Y. & Xing J. FI. (1959) A survey of the birds in Shanghai. Acta 481-510. Zool. Sinica 11 (3): 390-408. (In Chinese.) Sun Z. W., Lu W. FI., Lewthwaite, R. W., Li G.C., Yu R. D., Leven, M. R., Williams, Li L„ Fie Y.-X., Ding Z.-L., Liao B.-W., Zhang G.-P. & Chang FI. (2012) Urban M. D. & Sherred, K. (2003) Summer birds investigation in Nan Ao and Environ. & Urban EcoL 25(5): 11-15. (In Chinese.) its nearby islands of Guangdong province./. Shantou Univ. 18 (3): 1-6. Liao W. P. (1982) An investigation on the birds from Ding Flu Shan. Pp. (In Chinese.) 209-231 in Tropical and Subtropical Forest Ecosystem, 1. Guangzhou: Swinhoe, R. (1860) The ornithology of Amoy (China). Ibis 2: 45-68. Popular Science Press. (In Chinese.) Swinhoe, R. (1861a) Notes on the ornithology of Flong Kong, Macao and Lin S„ Ye Y„ Li J., Wu G. & Sun F. (2013) Study of bird diversity of Tiegang Canton, made during the latter end of February, March, April, and the Reservoir in a highly urbanized area. Sichuan J. Zool. 32(2): 297-301. beginning of May, 1860. Ibis 3: 23-57. (In Chinese.) Swinhoe, R. (1861b) Notes on ornithology taken between Takoo and Peking, Liu Y., Zhang Z. W., Li J. Q., Zhang Y., Lu S. & Ruan X. F. (2008) A survey in the neighbourhood of the Peiho River, Province of Chelee, North of the birds of the Dabie Shan range, central China. Forktail 24: China, from August to December, 1860. Ibis 3: 323-345. 80-91. Swinhoe, R. (1863) Catalogue of the birds of China, with remarks principally Liu Z.-B., Fluang Fl.-Q., Zeng X.-R.,& Wang Y.-J. (2005) Study of bird resource on their geographical distribution. Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1863: of Shenzhen Bijiashan Park. Acta Scientiarum naturalum Universitatis 259-339. Sunyatseni 44: 53-60. (In Chinese.) Swinhoe, R. (1870) On the ornithology of Flainan. Ibis (2)6: 77-97, 230-256, Lo C.-F. (2010) Birding trip to Yang county, Shaanxi province. Hong Kong 342-367. Birdwatching Society Bull. 218:19-20. Traylor, M. A. (1967) A collection of birds from Szechwan. Fieldiana Zool. Madge, S. & Burn, FI. (1994) Crows and jays. London: Christopher Flelm. 53 (1): 3-67. Forktail 32 (2016) A review of the distribution and population of the Collared Crow Corvus torquatus 47 Vaughan, R. E. & Jones, K. H. (1913) The birds of Hong Kong, Macao, and the Zheng Z.-W., Zhang C.-L. & Hu H.-J. (2008) Baseline survey and holistic West River or Si Kiang in south-east China, with special reference to their characters of bird in Guangzhou, China. Chinese J. Zoo143(1): 122-133. nidification and seasonal movements. Ibis 55:17-76,163-201, 351-384. (In Chinese.) Verica, J. (2010) China Trip Report - summer 2010. Downloaded from http:// Zhong F., Dong W., Li W. & Huang X. (2012) Community structure and birdingnerd.blogspot.hk/2010/08/china-trip-report-summer-2010.html diversity of birds in Meijiang River valley. Ecol. & Environ. Science 21 (5): on 24/08/2014. 825-833. (In Chinese.) Walton, H. A. (1903) Notes on the birds of Peking. Ibis 45:19-35. Zhou Y. Y„ Qin Y. L., Wang Y. P. & Yu S. J. (1981) On the terrestrial vertebrates Wang J. X., Wu S. X., Huang G. Y„ Yang W. Y„ Cai Z. Y„ Cai S. Q. & Xiao Q. I. of the Dinghu Shan area. Guangdong Zoot. Soc. Coll. Theses 2: 48-60. (1991) A pictorial guide to the birds of Taiwan. Taipei: Wild Bird Society (In Chinese.) Press of Taiwan and Japan. (In Chinese.) Zhuang X., Cao S. & Hu G. (2013) Survey of vertebrate resources at Dapeng Wilder, G. D. & Hubbard, H. W. (1924) List of birds of Chihli province./. North Peninsula National Geological Park, Shenzhen. Tropical Geography 33(5): China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Soc. 55:156-239. 584-587. (In Chinese.) Wu Z. K„ Lin Q. W., Yang J. L„ Liu J. C.& Wu L. (1986) The avifauna of Guizhou. Guizhou: People's Publishing House. (In Chinese.) PAULJ. LEADER&DAVID J. STANTON, AECLtd, 127 Commercial Yang L. & Yang X. J.: eds. (2004) The avifauna of Yunnan, China, 2. Kunming: Centre, Palm Springs, New Territories, Hong Kong. Email: pjt@ Yunnan Science and Technology Press. aechk.hk (corresponding author), [email protected] Yen K. Y. (1930) Birds from Yaoshan, Kwangsi. Bull. Dept. Biology, Sun Yatsen University 5: 1-32. JONATHAN MARTINEZ, 14 bis, Ruedes Temples, 45240 La Ferte- Yen K. Y. (1932) Etude d'une collection d'oiseaux du nord du Kwangtung. Saint-Aubin, France. Email: [email protected] Bull. Mus. d'Histoire Naturelle 4: 243-261. Yen K. Y. (1933-1934) Les oiseaux du Kwangsi. L'oiseau et la revue francaise RICHARD W. LEWTHWAITE, 2 Villa Paloma, Shuen Wan, TaiPo, d'ornithoiogiel: 204-243,615-638,755-788; 4:24-51,297-317,489-507. Hong Kong. Email: [email protected] Zou F.-S. & Ye G.-F., eds. (2016) Distribution list of Guangdong terrestrial vertebrates. Guangzhou: Guangdong Science and Technology Press (In Chinese and English). Appendix 1. Historical distribution of Collared Crow in China andTaiwan 1855-1980. Overview Beijing David & Oustalet (1877) noted This crow is one of the most characteristic Abundance/distribution: birds of the Chinese avifauna. It is found in all parts of the Chinese Swinhoe (1861 b): 'I occasionally saw this species [between Tianjin and Empire outside the mountainous zone, but it is particularly widespread Beijing in I860]'. in southern provinces. It lives in pairs in paddyfields and in the vicinity Walton (1903): 'In the middle of August [1900], when I reached Peking, of watercourses, and hardly ever ventures into the interior of villages there were very few of these handsome crows; from October onwards like its congeners. It is a sedentary species'. they arrived in large numbers, and were quite common during the winter.' Hemmingsen &Guildal (1968):'Both in winter and summer [in the 1940s] Styan (1891) commented'A very common resident [in the Lower Yangtse adults and young are met with in small numbers near water'. Basin in the 1880s]... Generally seen singly or in pairs, but in winter a Piechocki (1958): 'I saw them in the rice fields at the beginning of May number will sometimes congregate together. When out shooting I have [1956]'. been followed for a long distance by at least thirty of them hovering Fiebig (1983): Three active nests found in the Summer Palace grounds, close overhead, attracted by my dog. They will sometimes follow one 14 April 1977. thus for a mile'. Specimens: 14 January 1898 (MCZ); 3 January 1957, 12 and 25 November 1958, 10 Note: Styan's recording area 'the Lower Yangtse Basin' extended over September 1961 (Cao 1987). the final 1,000 km of the Yangtse River's course between Wuhan and the Delta, including parts of southern Hubei, northern Jiangxi, southern Chongqing Anhui, southern Jiangsu, northern Zhejiang and Shanghai. Abundance/distribution: Morrison (1948): 'A common bird everywhere [the city of Chongqing Ascherson (1930) commented that'All the way up the Yangtze and in and hills 50 km to its north in the years 1943-1945], but generally seen the country around Nanking [Nanjing], one is amazed at the numbers in the hills in pairs'. and conspicuousness of the nests of the Magpies, Collared Crows and Specimens: Black-eared Kites'. Changshou, 4 April 1908 (MCZ); Chongqing, May 1930 (Shaw 1932). Distribution by province Fujian Localities and dates of Specimens listed in this section are as enumerated Abundance/distribution: in the literature and/or listed in museum collections. Acronyms for Swinhoe (1860): 'The common crow [at Xiamen in 1855-1859] ... a museums are as follows: permanent resident'. NHMUK - Natural History Museum,Tring, UK La Touche (1892):'Common and resident [at Fuzhou in the late 1880s]'. MCZ - Museum of Comparative Zoology, Massachusetts, USA La Touche & Rickett (1905): 'The common crow [at Fuzhou in the late ZMB - Universitat Humboldt, Museum fur Naturkunde, Berlin, Germany 1890s] ... an early breeder'. RMNH - Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, Netherlands Caldwell & Caldwell (1931):'This is the well known Parson Crow of the plains. It may be seen singly or in colonies practically everywhere [in Anhui southern Fujian in the 1920s]. It abounds in newly ploughed fields and Abundance/distribution: partly flooded regions ... It is a common scavenger along rivers. At all Koltoff (1932):'Common [in eastern Anhui in 1922].Two pairs bred near times the crows are sociable, but in winter doubly so, assembling by the Chuchow [Chuzhou].' hundreds at some common roosting place'. Chong (1936):'The Collared Crow is commonly resided on the plain or Cheng (1936a, b): Up to seven individuals recorded on the campus of low-hills [in southern Anhui in the 1930s].' Fukien Christian University, Fuzhou in a summer bird survey, June- Specimens: August 1936 and at Changle around the same time. Huang Shan, September 1933 (Chong 1936); Jinhuashan, 25 October Cheng (1941a, b): Recorded in summer and winter on the river south of 1948 (Cheng 1960). Shaowu including a total of 24 individuals counted, 26-28 August 1940. 48 PAUL J. LEADER etal. Forktail 32 (2016) Specimens: Ogilvie-Grant (1900): Seen at Haikou, 5-9 Marchf 1899 per John Xiamen (two), April 1860 (RMNH); Xiamen, April 1861 (BMNH); Fuzhou, Whitehead's diary. 15 December 1895, February 1896, December 1896, 20 January 1913, Specimens: December 1913 (three) (MCZ); unknown locality (two), 1903-1909 Haikou (three), February/March 1868 (Swinhoe 1870); Haikou, 1890 or (Martens 1910); Fuzhou, December 1928 (Kuroda 1929); Shaowu, 24 1891 (Hartlaub 1892); Haikou (10), February-April, November-December June 1937 (Jordans & Niethammer 1940). 1902, Ledong, 11 March 1903, Utoshi, 21 March 1903 (Hartert 1910); Haikou, 20 January 1920 (Kuroda 1921); Wenchang, January, February Gansu and June in the late 1950s or early 1960s (Cheng &Tan 1973); Wanning, Abundance/distribution: 31 May 1960, Lingshui, 7 and 13 February 1963 (South China Institute Cheng (1987); Recorded in the southern part of the province. of Endangered Animals collection, Guangzhou, China). Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau Hebei Abundance/distribution: Abundance/distribution: Swinhoe (1861a):'Common [in Guangzhou, Flong Kong and Macau in Wilder & Hubbard (1924):'Fairly common resident throughout the February-May I860]'. province, but less common at the seashore and in the mountains. It La Touche (1892)'Common and resident [at Shantou in the late 1880s]'. also seems less common in summer than at other seasons. Lays in April Streich (1903): A common resident at Shantou in the period 1889-1902. and May'. Kershaw (1904): 'Very common and resident [in the Hong Kong-Macao Specimens: area in the early 1900s]'. Xian and Hejian in the 1920s or 1930s (Seys & Licent 1933-1934 in Vaughan & Jones (1913):'A common bird throughout the districts treated Hemmingsen & Guildal 1968). in this article [Hong Kong, Macau, the Pearl River Delta, the North River north to Shaoguan and the West River from the Pearl River Delta through Henan western Guangdong to Guixian in central Guangxi in 1900-1908] ... Abundance/distribution: never found far away from water, either salt or fresh ... during the winter Fu (1937):'Sedentary and common on the plain [in the years 1931-1934]'. months selects certain favoured roosting-places... and to these, at the close of day, large numbers may be seen winging their way from the Hubei feeding-grounds'. Abundance/distribution: Mell (1922):'Resident, probably common throughout the province'. La Touche (1922): 'A common resident [at Shashi inthe years 1917-1919]'. Yen (1930):'Much more common [in northern Guangdong in 1930-1931] Specimens: than the preceding species [C. macrorhynchus]'. Yichang, October or November 1880 (Slater 1882); Yichang 10 October Jabouille (1935):'Much more common [in Zhanjiang in 1932-1933] than (three) and 31 October 1907, 'Chang Koo Hsien' [untraced locality in the preceding species [C. macrorhynchus]' western Hubei], 3 February 1908 (MCZ). Gressit (1940): One on the Lingnan College campus [now Sun Yat-sen University], Guangzhou in winter 1939/1940. Hunan Zhou et a/.( 1981): In the Dinghu Shan area, Zhaoqing 1959-1966. Specimens: Liao (1982): In the Dinghu Shan area in 1979-1980 in similar numbers Dongting Lake, 21 November 1898 (Ogilvie-Grant 1900); Changde, 24 to previous years. and 26 October, Hengshan, 4 April, Liling, 9 June, Leiyang, 27 November, Guan etal. (1986): Breeding on Sanzao Island in the Pearl River Delta in Zixing, 13 November, Yizhang, 9 November in 1955 and 1957 (Cheng et 1980-1981. al. 1960-1961). Sun et a!. (2003): Recorded from Nan’ao Island with counts of up to 3 between 14-17 June 2001. Jiangxi Zou & Ye (2016): Listed from the prefectures/cities of Guangzhou, Abundance/distribution: Shaoguan, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou, Zhaoqing, Huizhou, Meijiang Presumably recorded in the north of the province by Styan (1891). River, Heyuan, Yangjiang, Qingyuan and Yunfu. Specimens: Jiangsu Naozhou Island, 2 February 1868 (Swinhoe 1870); Macau, 14 March Abundance/distribution: 1902 (NHMUK);'Nam Long'[untraced locality on North River], 22 March La Touche (1906-1907): 'A very common resident [at Zhenjiang in the 1905 (NHMUK); Fengwan, 3 April 1916, Xiaokeng, 5 February 1917 early 1900s]'. (ZMB); northern Guangdong (three), 19 March 1930, 8 January 1931 Koltoff (1932):'Common [in Jiangsu south oftheYangtse River in 1921- (Yen 1930); Zhanjiang (three), 1 and 12 May 1932 (Jabouille 1935); 1922]; not so common north of the river'. The author also reported the Lianshan, Yangshan, Lianping, Qieyang, Lufeng, Chao'an, Chenghai and progress of 31 pairs nesting in the plains and hills near Zhenjiang and Guangzhou, late 1950s-early 1960s (SCIEA 1991). mentioned another pair at Suzhou. Ascherson (1930): 'Very common [at Nanjing in April-May 1930]'. Guangxi Chang (1932): 'One of the common crows [in the vicinity of Nanjing, Abundance/distribution: 1931-1932]' Vaughan & Jones (1913): 'A common bird [along the West River from Chong (1938):'One of the common residents [in Nanjing, 1925-1936]'. Wuzhou to Guixian in the early 1900s]'. Specimens: Yen (1930)'A common resident up to 250m [at Yao Shan]'. Nanjing, 25 October 1923 (MCZ), Nanjing (ten), unknown dates 1925- Yen (1933-1934)'Sedentary [in central and eastern Guangxi] and even 1936 (Chong 1938). more common than the preceding species [C. macrorhynchus]'. Specimens: Shaanxi Pingnan, 20 April 1931 (Yen 1933-1934). Abundance/distribution: Cheng et al. (1962): Up to 12 birds encountered in a single day in the Guizhou Qinling mountains in April—July, 1957-1958. Abundance/distribution: Specimens: Wu etal. (1986): Flocks of several tens encountered in the vicinity of villages Yang Xian, Zhanba, unknown dates in 1957-1958 (Cheng etal. 1962). and farmland (300-2,400 m) in winter and spring in 1963-1982, and a nest containing two young birds found at Longlixian on 28 April 1981. Shandong Specimens: Abundance/distribution: Yinjiang, 25 April 1964, Xingyi, 23 October 1974, Chishui, 24 April 1975, LeFevre (1962):'Most numerous in western Shantung [1923-1927].They Zunyi, 20 May 1975, Suiyang, 8 and 13 December 1976, Guiding, 18 decrease in numbers as one goes from Tsinan [Qinan] towardsTsingtao November 1977, Jiangkou, 15 March 1978, Xifeng, 7 December 1978 [Qingdao], so that as one reaches the central part of the province, one (Wu etal. 1986). rarely sees them ... during the winter they can be seen in numbers at Tsinan ... a bird of the plain'. The author also reported a pair seen at Hainan Weishan on 16-17 and 26 January 1925, seven seen by George Wilder Last recorded 1963. at Dexian on 14 April 1935 and two at Ling Xian on 26 April 1936. Abundance/distribution: Specimens: Swinhoe (1870): 'In the plains of the north and north-west of Hainan Laiyang, 5 May 1909, Qinan, 30 June 1911, Jimo, 11 October 1912, this bird frequently occurs ... it is evident that they are early breeders 'Hsingtsunchai' (untraced locality in eastern Shandong), 27 June 1937 in Hainan as in South China'. (LeFevre 1962). Forktail 32 (2016) A review of the distribution and population of the Collared Crow Corvus torquatus 49 Shanghai Tianjin Abundance/distribution: Specimens: Sowerby (1943):'A permanent resident ... may occasionally be seen Tianjin, 1920s or 1930s (Seys & Licent 1933-1934 in Hemmingsen & passing over city and suburban districts of Shanghai [between the 1920s Guildal 1968). and early 1940s], but is not very plentiful... Two were seen by me in the Western District this spring (1943), being joined later in the summer by Yunnan four young ones'. Abundance/distribution: Li etal. (1959): Recorded in all months during surveys, 1951-1959. Yang & Yang (2004): Recorded at Kunming and Yongshan (760-2,100 m). Specimens: 28 January 1884 (NHMUK); unknown dates prior to 1943 (Sowerby 1943). Zhejiang Moffett & Gee (1913): At Jiangyin, Hangzhou and Mogan Shan on Shanxi unknown dates prior to 1913. Abundance/distribution: Gayot (1922): Recorded on six visits to the Haining area in December, Cheng (1987): Recorded in the southern part of the province. February and March, 1917-1920. Shaw (1934): 'A permanent resident of the plain and foothills [in the Sichuan early 1930s]... single birds or small flocks often met with'. Abundance/distribution: Specimens: David (1871): Occurs in Sichuan. Hangzhou, 16 October 1931, Wenzhou, 24 July 1932 (Shaw 1934). Dye (1969): Sightings of 20-30 individuals near the West China Union University campus, Chengdu in the 1920s and 1930s, but numbers down Distribution in Taiwan in the 1940s likely as a result of engineering works on the river. Abundance/distribution: Cheng (1987): Recorded at Kangding. There are only three records from mainland Taiwan, all in the period Specimens: 1979-1987: at Taichung on 10 October 1979 and 7 August 1981 and at Washan, 6 November 1908 (MCZ); Mingshan, 7 May 1931, near Emei Shan, Nantou on 8 August 1987 (Wang etal. 1991, Severinghaus etal. 2012). 23 November 1931 (Traylor 1967);Yaan (five) and Chengdu, July-August It is/was essentially restricted to Kinmen Island, where up to 176 1934 (Schafer & de Schauensee 1938); Emei Shan (four) March-June in individuals were recorded in 1989, but it has declined significantly since 1957-1960 (Cheng etal. 1963); Maowen, May 1961 (Cheng etal. 1965); then (BirdLife International 2016). Baoxing (850-2,300 m), March-May, September, December 1962-1965 (Li etal. 1976). Appendix 2. Collared Crow records in China, Taiwan and Vietnam, 2003-2014. Location Peak count Month Year Source Anhui Yaoluoping* ? ? 2005 Liu etal. (2008) Jinzhai* 6 May 2013 http://birdtalker.net/report/userinfo.asp?id=6634 Jixi* 1 May 2013 http://birdtalker.net/report/userinfo.asp?id=5569 Liuan 4 April 2012 "\.732'inlitt.U November 2014 Shengjin Hu ? November 2005 China Ornithological Society (2006) Suzhou 20 January 2011 http://birdtalker.net/report/userinfo.asp?id=4423 Wangjiang 3 March 2013 http://birdtalker.net/report/userinfo.asp?id=5650 Yuexi* 30 October 2012 http://birdtalker.net/report/userinfo.asp?id=5650 Beijing Forbidden City 1 October 2011 www.ebird.org Shisanling Reservoir 1 April 2012 T. Townsend //? //ft 3 September 2014 Beijing 1 April 2012 T. Townsend in litt. 3 September 2014 Chongqing Chongqing 15 June 2013 http://birdtalker.net/report/userinfo.asp?id=5605 Fujian Dahu 12 December 2007 China Ornithological Society (2008) Dahu 5 May 2010 Fairbank (2010) Dahu 2 ? 2012 MenxiuTongm//ff. 19 September 2014 Dayang, Putian 1 February 2007 China Ornithological Society (2008) Fuding 1 April 2006 http://birdtalker.net/report/userinfo.asp?id=463 Fuding 20 ? 2012 MenxiuTong/n/fft. 19 September 2014 Longhai 3 March 2012 http://birdtalker.net/report/userinfo.asp?id=5470 Minhou 12 December 2007 Gao Chuan in litt. 23 November 2014 Ningde 3 January 2008 http://birdtalker.net/report/userinfo.asp?id=463 Putian 1 July 2007 Xiamen Bird Watching Society in litt. 17 November 2014 Putian ? ? 2012 Menxiu Tong in litt. 19 September 2014 Xiamen 5 September 2009 Meng Xianwei in litt. 8 December 2014 Zhangzhou 5 December 2011 http://birdtalker.net/report/userinfo.asp?id=4626 Gansu Luqu 20 May 2009 Lei Ming in litt. 8 December 2014 50 PAUL J. LEADER etal. Forktail 32 (2016) A Location Peak count Month Year Source Guangdong Futian 2 March 2004 China Ornithological Society (2005) Futian 2 October 2004 China Ornithological Society (2005) Futian 5 January 2007 China Ornithological Society (2008) Futian 4 April 2007 China Ornithological Society (2008) Huizhou 1 Apr 2013 Authors pers. obs. Guangzhou 7 7 2005-2006 Zheng etal. (2008) Nansha mangrove wetland, Guangzhou 7 7 2005-2010 Chang etal. (2012) Meijiang river valley 8 7 2010-2011 Zhongefo/, (2012) Bijiashan Park, Shenzhen 'rare' 7 2004 Liu etal. (2005) Dapeng,Shenzhen 7 7 2012-2013 Zhuang etal. (2013) Mount Yangtai, Shenzhen ? 7 2006 Qiu etal. (2007) Tiegang Reservoir, Shenzhen 'dominant' 7 Lin etal. (2013) Shenzhen Up to 2 7 2004-2014 G. Yang pers. com. Yangjiang 4 October 2014 Authors pers. obs. Zhuhai (Hezhou wetland) 6 March 2011 Li etal. (2012) Guangxi River Li, Guilin SYangshao 7 7 2004-2014 Twelve records of one to seven birds are listed on www.ebird.org Guilin 7 7 2006 Bartlett (2006) Guilin 46 August 2007 China Ornithological Society (2008) http://birdtalker.net/report/userinfo.asp?id=1301 Guilin 'small roost' Summer 2010 Verica (2010) Guilin 2 November 2012 Leanranger(2013) Lipu 2 January 2014 Mo Xunqiang in lift. 17 November 2014 Sanjiang 1 January 2013 Sun Jiajie in litt. 5 December 2014 Yangshuo 'many' April 2010 Ericsson (2010) Yangshuo 3 August 2014 mzwebby via Birdforum Yangshuo 36 October 2014 http://birdtalker.net/report/userinfo.asp?id=6568 Zhongfeng 1 September 2004 Fellowes (2005) Guizhou Guiyang 1 March 2006 Meng Xianwei in litt. 8 December 2014 Jiangkou 3 December 2012 Chongqing Feimao in litt. 7 November 2014 Kaiyang 2 February 2009 http://birdtalker.net/report/userinfo.asp?id=3269 Leishan 3 November 2007 http://birdtalker.net/report/userinfo.asp?id=1893 Suiyang 5 May 2008 Cheshi in litt. 4 December 2014 Wenggan 1 March 2006 http://birdtalker.net/report/userinfo.asp?id=408 Weining 1 February 2008 Meng Xianwei in litt. 8 December 2014 Xishui 2 May 2011 Meng Xianwei in litt. 8 December 2014 Yanhe 4 December 2013 http://birdtalker.net/report/userinfo.asp?id=5005 Hebei Beidaihe 1 May 2012 M. Andrews in litt. 1 December 2014 Henan Dongzhai NNR* 3 November 2003 China Ornithological Society (2004) Dongzhai NNR* 7 7 2004-2006 Liu etal. (2008) Dongzhai NNR* i 7 2010 C. Brelsford in litt. 2 September 2014 Dongzhai NNR* 7 March 2012 www.ebird.org Dongzhai* 7 July 2012 M. Maddock in litt. 2 December 2014 Dongzhai NNR (Baiyun)* 2 March 2013 Authors pers. obs. Dongzhai NNR (Segang)* 2 March 2013 Authors pers. obs. Dongzhai NNR* 5 7 2014 www.ebird.org Dongzhai NNR* 10 7 2014 www.ebird.org Fangpao* 2 June 2014 www.ebird.org Lingshan* 10 May 2012 H. Buck in litt. 12 September 2014 Luoshan* 20 June 2013 ZhongYuetao/n//ff. 10 December 2014 Shangcheng* 13 October 2007 China Ornithological Society (2008)