Documentation of bill clapping in Hooded Crow Corvus cornix

Magne Husby

doi:10.15845/on.v47.4345

Authors

Magne Husby Nord University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/on.v47.4345

Keywords:

Aggressive behavior, bill clattering, bill clicking, bill rattling, bill snapping

Abstract

Cover photo: Hooded Crow Corvus cornix. Photo: Terje Lislevand.

Non-vocal sounds made by rapid closing of the bill are well known among many bird species, including several corvids. However, this is the first documentation of bill clapping by a Hooded Crow Corvus cornix during aggressive encounters with a conspecific. The aggression level was low, and the bill clapping was accompanied by a weak rolling ‘r’ sound.

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https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qY2xRcvVmRU