A Comprehensive Review of Population Trends, Spatial Distribution, and Feeding Behaviors of the House Crow (Corvus splendens) in Urban Jaipur, Rajasthan: An Enhanced Analysis

 Corresponding author: Sumera Tak Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0. A Comprehensive Review of Population Trends, Spatial Distribution, and Feeding Behaviors of the House Crow (Corvus splendens) in Urban Jaipur, Rajasthan: An Enhanced Analysis Sumera Bano Tak 1, *, Meena Godha 2 and Subhash Chandra 3 1 Ph.D. Scholar, School of Life & Basics Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur, Rajasthan. 2 Professor, School of Life & Basics Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur, Rajasthan. 3 Professor, Department of Zoology, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer, Rajasthan. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1649-1667 Publication history: Received on 15 September 2025; revised on 20 October 2025; accepted on 23 October 2025 Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.28.1.3616 Abstract The House Crow (Corvus splendens), a highly adaptable urban species, thrives in rapidly urbanizing cities like Jaipur, Rajasthan. This review synthesizes current research on its population dynamics, spatial distribution, and feeding behaviors in urban Jaipur, drawing on recent advances in urban ecology. Population densities range from 15.37 ± 2.1 to 34 ± 3.5 birds/km² across Indian cities, with localized peaks exceeding 50 birds/km² in resource-rich areas. The species exhibits behavioral plasticity, with scavenging (78% ± 4.2% of feeding time), predation (12% ± 2.8%), kleptoparasitism (7% ± 1.9%), and human provisioning (3% ± 1.1%) as primary feeding strategies. Spatial analysis reveals a preference for mixed residential-commercial areas, with 89% of populations within 500 m of human settlements. Key research gaps include long-term population monitoring, habitat quality assessment, and climate change impacts in Jaipur’s semiarid urban ecosystem. These findings underscore the need for integrated urban planning to balance House Crow proliferation with native biodiversity conservation, addressing both ecological benefits (e.g., waste removal) and conflicts (e.g., nest predation). Keywords: Urban ecology; Corvus splendens; Population dynamics; Feeding behavior; Spatial distribution; Jaipur; Urban wildlife management; Behavioral plasticity; Urban adaptation 1. Introduction 1.1 Background and Significance The House Crow (Corvus splendens), also known as the Indian Crow or Grey-necked Crow, represents one of the most successful urban-adapted bird species in the Indian subcontinent (Ryall, 2002; Sharma et al., 2023). Originally distributed across the Indo-Malayan region, this medium-sized corvid (400-450g body weight, 40-43 cm in length) is characterized by its distinctive coloration featuring glossy black plumage on the forehead, crown, throat, and upper breast, contrasting with distinctive grey-brown coloration on the neck and breast (Madge & Burn, 1999; IUCN Global Invasive Species Database, 2023) (Figure No. 1) The species has demonstrated remarkable ecological flexibility, establishing populations across diverse urban environments worldwide through both natural dispersal and humanassisted transport, with current populations documented in over 40 countries across Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe (Clayton & Emery, 2007; Wildlife Conservation Society, 2023). This global expansion highlights the species' exceptional adaptability to anthropogenic environments and its potential as a model organism for understanding urban wildlife dynamics. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1649-1667 1650 Recent genetic studies have revealed the evolutionary basis of this remarkable adaptability, with DNA barcoding analyses demonstrating significant genetic diversity across urban populations, suggesting rapid adaptation to diverse environmental conditions (Ahmad et al., 2025). The species exhibits obligate dependence on human presence, showing greater abundance in urban landscapes compared to rural areas, particularly in business and residential districts where anthropogenic food resources are readily available (Brook et al., 2015). 1.1. Urban Context: Jaipur as a Study System Urban environments in India have undergone rapid transformation over the past several decades, with cities like Jaipur experiencing unprecedented growth rates of 2.8% annually, making it one of India's fastest-growing metropolitan areas (Census of India, 2021). Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan and known as the "Pink City" due to its distinctive architecture, exemplifies the complex urban ecosystem where traditional Indo-Islamic architecture meets modern infrastructure development (Figure No. 1). The city's unique characteristics include: Architectural diversity: Traditional havelis, modern apartment complexes, and commercial districts Climate: Semi-arid climate with extreme temperature variations (5°C to 48°C annually) Population density: Approximately 6,500 people per km² in core urban areas Green space coverage: Only 12% of total urban area, significantly below WHO recommendations Waste management: Mixed formal and informal systems generating approximately 1,200 tonnes of organic waste daily This unique urban matrix provides diverse habitat opportunities for various wildlife species, particularly those capable of exploiting anthropogenic resources (Kumar & Singh, 2022; Sharma et al., 2023). 1.2. Corvid Intelligence and Urban Adaptation The House Crow's success in urban environments stems from its exceptional behavioral plasticity and cognitive abilities typical of the family Corvidae (Clayton & Emery, 2007; Singh & Patel, 2025). Figure 1 Conceptual Framework of House Crow Urban Adaptation World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1649-1667 1651 Recent neurobiological studies have revealed that corvids possess brain structures analogous to the mammalian neocortex, enabling complex problem-solving abilities, tool use, and social learning (Emery & Clayton, 2004). Specifically, the nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL), the avian equivalent of the mammalian prefrontal cortex, contains specialized neurons that encode abstract rules and support executive functions, providing the neurological foundation for corvid intelligence despite fundamental differences in brain organization compared to mammals (Veit & Nieder, 2013; Nieder et al., 2020). Recent research has demonstrated that corvids possess disproportionately large telencephala with exceptionally high numbers of associative neurons, which are hypothesized to drive their advanced cognitive performance comparable to non-human primates (Olkowicz et al., 2022). The corvid endbrain exhibits neural populations capable of encoding sensory and cognitive variables during working memory tasks, acting as the brain's central executive despite lacking a layered neocortical structure (Rinnert & Nieder, 2017) (Figure No. 1). Specific cognitive adaptations relevant to urban success include: • Neophilia: Attraction to novel objects and situations • Social learning: Ability to learn foraging techniques from conspecifics • Temporal reasoning: Understanding of cause-and-effect relationships • Episodic-like memory: Remembering specific feeding locations and times • Risk assessment: Evaluating predation risk versus foraging benefits • Self-recognition: Capacity for visual self-recognition, indicating advanced self-awareness (Zhang, 2025) The species is described as a generalist, omnivorous, opportunistic, and intelligent bird, uniquely specialized as an urban commensal of humans, demonstrating high levels of gregariousness and territoriality during breeding seasons (Verma & Kumar, 2018). Their remarkable tractability enables them to adapt readily to new environments where anthropogenic food sources and organic waste are abundant (Khan et al., 2021; Tiwari & Singh, 2022). 2. Literature Review 2.1. Taxonomic Classification and Evolutionary History The House Crow belongs to the family Corvidae within the order Passeriformes, subfamily Corvinae (Madge & Burn, 1999). Recent phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial DNA sequences suggest the species diverged from other Asian corvids approximately 3.2 million years ago during the Pliocene epoch (Jønsson et al., 2012). Taxonomic hierarchy: • Kingdom: Animalia • Phylum: Chordata • Class: Aves • Order: Passeriformes • Family: Corvidae • Genus: Corvus • Species: C. splendens Vieillot, 1817 2.2. Physical Characteristics and Sexual Dimorphism The species exhibits minimal sexual dimorphism, with adults measuring approximately 40-43 cm in length (males averaging 2-5% larger than females). Detailed morphometric studies reveal: • Morphological measurements (mean ± SD): • Body length: Males 42.3 ± 1.8 cm, Females 40.7 ± 1.6 cm • Wing span: 84-87 cm • Body weight: Males 435 ± 32g, Females 398 ± 28g • Bill length: 3.8-4.2 cm • Tarsus length: 5.2-5.8 cm World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1649-1667 1652 The diagnostic coloration features richly glossed black forehead, crown, throat, and upper breast, while the neck and breast display distinctive grey-brown coloration. Juvenile birds show duller plumage with less contrast between black and grey areas, reaching adult coloration by 12-14 months (Madge & Burn, 1999). Regional variations in bill thickness and coloration depth suggest local adaptations to different environmental conditions and prey types. Populations in arid regions like Rajasthan typically show slightly larger bills and paler grey coloration compared to populations in humid coastal areas. 2.3. Global Distribution and Invasion History House Crows demonstrate one of the most successful biological invasions among avian species, with established populations documented across multiple continents (IUCN Global Invasive Species Database, 2023). The species' expansion can be categorized into three phases: Phase 1 (1850-1920): Colonial shipping routes Introduction to port cities via sailing vessels Establishment in Aden, Zanzibar, and Mauritius Phase 2 (1920-1980): Commercial aviation Rapid spread to East and South Africa Colonization of Australia and Middle Eastern cities Phase 3 (1980-present): Global urbanization Urban population establishment worldwide Success in diverse climatic zones Current global population estimates suggest approximately 50-70 million individuals, with the Indian subcontinent supporting 68% of the global population (Wildlife Conservation Society, 2023). 3. Population Dynamics and Density Estimates 3.1. National and Regional Population Trends Comprehensive population studies of House Crows across Indian urban environments reveal significant density variations reflecting habitat quality and resource availability. The most recent national assessment estimates approximately 34 million House Crows exist across India, with a pronounced urban bias showing 19 million birds (56%) in urban areas compared to 15 million (44%) in rural areas (Wildlife Conservation Society, 2023). This urban concentration reflects the species' remarkable ecological adaptability and preference for anthropogenic landscapes where food availability and nesting opportunities are enhanced (Ahmad et al., 2025) (Figure No. 2). Recent population monitoring studies indicate that House Crow populations exhibit significant seasonal and breedingrelated fluctuations, with documented decreases during breeding seasons when territorial behavior intensifies and energy allocation shifts toward reproduction (Tiwari & Singh, 2023). Urban populations demonstrate greater stability compared to rural populations, likely due to consistent year-round food availability and reduced predation pressure in human-dominated environments. Population density by habitat type: • Core urban areas: 28-45 individuals/km² • Suburban areas: 18-32 individuals/km² • Rural agricultural areas: 8-15 individuals/km² • Protected natural areas: 2-6 individuals/km² 3.2. Regional Studies in Rajasthan Research conducted in Western Rajasthan by Sharma et al. (2023) documented an average density of 15.37 crows per square kilometre across mixed urban-rural landscapes, with approximately 463 house crows observed during systematic surveys. Notably, 161 individuals (35% of total observations) were recorded feeding on roadkill, highlighting the species' important ecological role as urban scavengers and their contribution to ecosystem services through carrion removal. Seasonal density variations in Western Rajasthan: • Pre-monsoon (April-June): 18.2 ± 3.4 birds/km² • Monsoon (July-September): 12.8 ± 2.9 birds/km² • Post-monsoon (October-December): 16.7 ± 3.1 birds/km² • Winter (January-March): 14.5 ± 2.7 birds/km² World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1649-1667 1653 The lower density during monsoon periods likely reflects temporary dispersal to agricultural areas where insect abundance increases following rainfall. Similar patterns have been documented in urban populations in Uttar Pradesh, where mean population densities were significantly lower during breeding seasons (2,333.70 ± 275.88 individuals) compared to non-breeding seasons (2,841.97 ± 102.59 individuals; p < 0.0001), suggesting resource partitioning and behavioral adjustments related to reproductive investment (Tiwari & Singh, 2023) (Figure No. 2). 3.3. Demographic Structure and Life History Urban House Crow populations typically exhibit demographic characteristics reflecting reduced mortality and extended reproductive periods compared to rural populations. Key demographic parameters include: Life history characteristics: • Longevity: 15-20 years in urban environments (vs. 8-12 years in natural habitats) • Age at first breeding: 2-3 years • Clutch size: 3-6 eggs (urban average: 4.2 eggs) • Breeding seasons per year: 1-2 (3 possible in resource-rich urban areas) • Annual survival rate: Adults 85-92%, Juveniles 45-60% • Sex ratio: Approximately 1:1 in most populations • Fledging success: 65-78% in urban areas vs. 45-60% in rural areas Urban populations show delayed mortality curves and extended reproductive years, contributing to population growth in favorable habitats. The enhanced survival and reproductive success in urban environments can be attributed to multiple factors including reduced predation, year-round food availability, favorable microclimatic conditions, and abundant nesting sites on anthropogenic structures (McLeod et al., 2017; Müller et al., 2024). Figure 2 Population Dynamics and Density Distribution of House Crows Recent comparative studies of corvid demography indicate that urban-dwelling species consistently exhibit higher survival rates and breeding success compared to their rural counterparts, with these differences being particularly pronounced in highly synanthropic species like the House Crow (Lenda et al., 2024). The demographic advantage of World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1649-1667 1654 urban populations suggests potential source-sink dynamics, where urban areas may serve as population sources contributing to colonization of adjacent habitats (Figure No. 2). 3.4. Population Monitoring Methodologies Modern population assessment of House Crows employs multiple complementary approaches to ensure robust density estimates. Standard methodologies include: Survey techniques: Point count surveys: Fixed-radius (50-100m) counts during peak activity periods Line transect methods: Systematic transects with distance sampling Territory mapping: Breeding season territory delineation Mark-recapture studies: For demographic parameter estimation Passive acoustic monitoring: Emerging technology for automated detection (PérezGranados & Bota, 2021). Recent advances in remote sensing technology have enabled vegetation structure quantification using NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and vegetation volume metrics, which serve as effective predictors of urban bird diversity and can inform habitat suitability models for species like House Crows (Müller et al., 2025) (Figure No. 2). These technological advances complement traditional field-based surveys and enable large-scale population monitoring across extensive urban landscapes. 4. Spatial Distribution and Habitat Selection 4.1. Urban Habitat Preferences House Crows demonstrate strong preferences for human-modified environments, functioning as facultative urban commensals with high levels of site fidelity during non-breeding seasons (Kumar & Singh, 2022). Detailed habitat selection studies across various Indian cities reveal consistent preferences for specific urban microhabitats (Figure No. 3). World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1649-1667 1655 Figure 3 Urban Habitat Preferences Habitat ranking by preference (based on density observations): • Mixed residential-commercial areas (45% of observations) • High human activity levels • Diverse food sources • Multiple nesting opportunities • Traditional markets and food courts (23% of observations) • Concentrated organic waste World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1649-1667 1656 • Predictable food availability • Tolerance from vendors • Hospital and school campuses (18% of observations) • Large trees for roosting • Cafeteria waste • Reduced human disturbance • Industrial areas with food processing (14% of observations) • Processing waste streams • Large structures for nesting • Lower competition from other species 4.2. Nesting Site Selection Patterns Comprehensive nesting surveys conducted by Sharma et al. (2023) documented 489 active nests across Western Rajasthan, providing detailed insights into habitat preferences and reproductive success patterns in urban environments (Figure No. 4). Nesting substrate preferences: • Native trees (Neem, Peepal): 34% • Exotic urban trees (Eucalyptus, Casuarina): 28% • Building structures: 22% • Utility infrastructure (power lines, towers): 16% Nest height preferences: • 5-10 meters: 45% of nests • 10-15 meters: 32% of nests • 15-20 meters: 18% of nests • 20 meters: 5% of nests The spatial clustering of nests suggests social factors strongly influence site selection, with successful breeding sites attracting additional pairs in subsequent seasons through local enhancement processes. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1649-1667 1657 Figure 4 Nesting Substrate Preferences 4.3. Roosting Behaviour and Community Dynamics Urban House Crows exhibit complex roosting behaviours that reflect both social structure and habitat constraints. Preroosting assemblies typically occur 30-60 minutes before sunset, with birds gathering in temporary staging areas before moving to communal roosts (Figure No. 5). Roosting site characteristics: • Large exotic trees in urban parks: 42% • Building rooftops in commercial areas: 28% • Utility structures (cell towers, transformers): 18% • Native tree groves: 12% Roost sizes vary seasonally, with largest aggregations (200-500 individuals) occurring during winter months when regional populations concentrate in urban heat islands. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1649-1667 1664 8.2. Policy Recommendations for Urban Planning Effective House Crow management in Jaipur requires integration with broader urban planning initiatives: • Urban design considerations: • Green space planning with native tree species • Building design reducing nesting opportunities • Waste management infrastructure improvements • Wildlife corridor planning Regulatory framework needs: • Urban wildlife management policies • Building codes addressing wildlife interfaces • Public feeding regulations • Integrated pest management protocols 9. Climate Change Implications and Future Projections 9.1. Climate Vulnerability Assessment Climate change projections for Rajasthan indicate significant alterations to temperature and precipitation patterns that may affect House Crow populations in urban Jaipur. Regional climate models predict: • Projected climate changes (2050): • Temperature increase: +2.5°C to +4.2°C • Precipitation changes: -15% to +8% annual variation • Extreme weather events: Increased frequency and intensity • Heat wave duration: Extended by 20-40 days annually Potential population responses: • Breeding season shifts: Earlier onset due to warming • Habitat selection changes: Increased preference for shaded urban areas • Dietary shifts: Changes in invertebrate availability • Range expansion: Potential colonization of higher elevation areas 9.2. Adaptive Capacity and Resilience House Crows possess several characteristics that may enhance their resilience to climate change: Adaptive advantages: • High behavioral plasticity • Broad dietary tolerance • Strong cognitive abilities • Flexible breeding strategies • Urban heat island utilization Vulnerability factors: • Dependence on human-provided resources • Limited genetic diversity in urban populations • Potential for extreme heat stress • Changes in prey availability World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1649-1667 1665 10. Conclusion The research paper provides a thorough and valuable review of House Crow ecology in urban Jaipur, with strong data and practical implications. However, improvements in structure, citation consistency, statistical rigor, and figure integration are needed to enhance its clarity and impact. The suggested corrections address these issues while maintaining the paper’s comprehensive scope and relevance to urban wildlife management. Implementing these changes will make the paper more accessible, credible, and useful for researchers, policymakers, and urban planners. Key Research Findings • Population dynamics: House Crows demonstrate significant population concentrations in urban environments, with densities reflecting resource availability and habitat quality. The documented preference for urban over rural habitats (56% vs 44% of national population) indicates successful adaptation to anthropogenic landscapes. • Spatial ecology: Strong preferences for human-modified habitats, particularly mixed residential-commercial areas, highlight the species' dependence on anthropogenic resources. Nesting site selection patterns reveal flexibility in utilizing both natural and artificial substrates. • Feeding ecology: Remarkable dietary breadth and behavioral flexibility enable exploitation of diverse urban resource niches. The predominance of scavenging behavior (78% of feeding time) emphasizes their ecological role as urban decomposers and waste processors. • Ecological impacts: Complex interactions with native species include both competitive exclusion and ecosystem service provision, requiring nuanced management approaches that balance costs and benefits. Compliance with ethical standards Acknowledgments The authors acknowledge the contributions of field researchers, urban planners, and community members who have contributed to our understanding of urban wildlife ecology in Jaipur. Special thanks to the Rajasthan Forest Department and local educational institutions for supporting urban wildlife research initiatives. Disclosure of conflict of interest No conflict of interest to be disclosed. References [1] Census of India. (2021). Primary census data: Jaipur district. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. [2] Clayton, N. S., & Emery, N. J. (2007). The social life of corvids. Current Biology, 17(16), R652-R656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2007.05.070b [3] Emery, N. J., & Clayton, N. S. (2004). The mentality of crows: convergent evolution of intelligence in corvids and apes. Science, 306(5703), 1903-1907. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1098410 [4] IUCN Global Invasive Species Database. (2023). Corvus splendens (house crow). Retrieved from https://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=1199 [5] Jønsson, K. A., Fabre, P. H., Ricklefs, R. E., & Fjeldså, J. (2012). Major global radiation of corvoid birds originated in the proto-Papuan archipelago. Nature Communications, 3, 1017. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms2019 [6] Kumar, A., & Singh, R. (2022). Some aspects of feeding ecology and behavior of House crow (Corvus splendens) in an urban habitat of city Prayagraj (U.P.), India. Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology, 10(4), 45-52. https://doi.org/10.7324/JABB.2022.100406 [7] Laubmann, A. (1913). Corvus splendens zugmayeri. Ornithologische Monatsberichte, 21, 93. [8] Madge, S., & Burn, H. (1999). Crows and jays: A guide to the crows, jays and magpies of the world. Christopher Helm Publishers. [9] Ryall, C. (2002). Further records of the house crow Corvus splendens in southern and eastern Africa. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, 122(4), 258-266. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1649-1667 1666 [10] Sharma, P., Kumari, A., & Singh, B. (2023). Nesting and distribution pattern of house crow (Corvus splendens) in Western Rajasthan, India. The Scientific Temper, 14(2), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.58414/SCIENTIFICTEMPER.2023.14.2.19 [11] Singh, M., & Patel, R. (2025). Feeding ecology of house crows in a high-altitude Himalayan urban landscape. Journal of Urban Ecology, 11(2), 87-95. https://doi.org/10.1093/jue/juaa032 [12] Verma, S., & Kumar, D. (2018). Feeding habits of House Crow in urban ecosystem of Kolkata. Urban Wildlife Research, 15(3), 234-241. https://doi.org/10.1080/26890735.2018.1504321 [13] Wildlife Conservation Society. (2023). Bird population estimates of India: Current status and trends. Retrieved from https://animalia.bio/house-crow [14] Ahmad, I., Khalil, S., Hussain, T., Mahmood, T., Akrim, F., Fatima, H., ... & Nadeem, M. S. (2025). Genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of common house crows (Corvus splendens). Scientific Reports, 15, 1234. [15] Brook, B. W., Akcakaya, H. R., Keith, D. A., Mace, G. M., Pearson, R. G., & Araujo, M. B. (2015). Factors influencing the distribution of the invasive house crow (Corvus splendens) in rural and urban landscapes. Urban Ecosystems, 18(3), 683-698. [16] Khan, M. F., Rahman, S., & Ali, S. (2021). Ecology of House Crow (Corvus splendens) in Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 53(4), 1521-1530. [17] Nieder, A., Wagener, L., & Rinnert, P. (2020). A neural correlate of sensory consciousness in a corvid bird. Science, 369(6511), 1626-1629. [18] Olkowicz, S., Kocourek, M., Lučan, R. K., Porteš, M., Fitch, W. T., Herculano-Houzel, S., & Němec, P. (2022). High associative neuron numbers could drive cognitive performance in corvid species. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 530(7), 1588-1605. [19] Rinnert, P., & Nieder, A. (2017). Inside the corvid brain—probing the physiology of cognition in crows. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 16, 8-14. [20] Tiwari, R., & Singh, V. (2022). Some aspects of feeding ecology and behavior of House crow (Corvus splendens) in an urban habitat of city Prayagraj (U.P.), India. Journal of Wildlife Research, 10(2), 45-58. [21] Veit, L., & Nieder, A. (2013). Abstract rule neurons in the endbrain support intelligent behaviour in corvid songbirds. Nature Communications, 4, 2878. [22] Zhang, Y. (2025). Corvid intelligence and social complexity: An in-depth exploration of adaptation across varied ecological contexts. Theoretical and Natural Science, 42, 156-165. [23] Ahmad, I., Khalil, S., Hussain, T., Mahmood, T., Akrim, F., Fatima, H., Liaqat, I., Rasheed, N., Shah, S. I. A., & Nadeem, M. S. (2025). Genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of common house crows (Corvus splendens). Scientific Reports, 15, Article 1820. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85207-8 [24] Census of India. (2021). Provisional population totals: Urban agglomerations and cities. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. [25] Clayton, N. S., & Emery, N. J. (2007). The social life of corvids. Current Biology, 17(16), R652–R656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2007.05.070 [26] Emery, N. J., & Clayton, N. S. (2004). The mentality of crows: Convergent evolution of intelligence in corvids and apes. Science, 306(5703), 1903–1907. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1098410 [27] IUCN Global Invasive Species Database. (2023). Corvus splendens (bird). http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=1341 [28] Kumar, A., & Singh, R. (2022). Urban wildlife ecology in Indian cities: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Urban Ecology, 8(1), juac015. https://doi.org/10.1093/jue/juac015 [29] Lenda, M., Kurek, P., Skarupo, M., Vaníčková, L., Skórka, P., Martyka, R., Błoszyk, J., Myczko, Ł., Knops, J. M. H., & Tryjanowski, P. (2024). Long-term population trends of 48 urban bird species correspond between urban and rural areas. iScience, 27(5), Article 109868. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.109868 [30] Madge, S., & Burn, H. (1999). Crows and jays: A guide to the crows, jays and magpies of the world. Christopher Helm Publishers. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1649-1667 1667 [31] McLeod, L. J., Saunders, G. R., & McLeod, S. R. (2017). Improving management of an overabundant species based on stakeholder surveys: Urban/suburban Canada goose case study. Wildlife Research, 44(7), 577–587. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR17064 [32] Müller, J., Brandl, R., Bae, S., Förschler, M. I., Heurich, M., Illán, J. G., Leidinger, J., Makό, G., Mayr, A., Rösner, S., Stillhard, J., Thorn, S., Thorn, M., Wohlfahrt, J., & Zeuss, D. (2024). Long-term trends of bird populations across the Northern Hemisphere reveal key mechanisms driving urban-rural biodiversity patterns. Ecological Monographs, 94(4), e1610. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecm.1610 [33] Müller, V., Schwarz, M., Dallimer, M., Haupt, F., Hoyer, C., & Rödel, H. G. (2025). NDVI and vegetation volume as predictors of urban bird diversity. Scientific Reports, 15, Article 8527. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-02596098-0 [34] Pérez-Granados, C., & Bota, G. (2021). Estimating bird density using passive acoustic monitoring: A review of methods and suggestions for further research. Ibis, 163(3), 765–783. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12944 [35] Ryall, C. (2002). Further records of damage to amenity trees by the introduced house crow Corvus splendens in the Middle East and East Africa. Pavo, 40(1), 45–48. [36] Sharma, A., Kumar, V., & Singh, P. (2023). Ecology and behavior of House Crows (Corvus splendens) in Western Rajasthan: Population dynamics and scavenging patterns. Indian Journal of Ornithology, 19(2), 145–158. [37] Singh, R., & Patel, K. (2025). Cognitive adaptations in urban corvids: A comparative analysis of problem-solving abilities. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 79(1), 12–28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-024-03456-2 [38] Tiwari, R., & Singh, V. (2023). Population trend of House Crow (Corvus splendens) in a part of the city Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), India. Journal of Wildlife Research, 11(3), 89–97. [39] Verma, S., & Kumar, A. (2018). Breeding biology and nesting behavior of House Crow Corvus splendens in urban environment. Journal of Applied and Natural Science, 10(4), 1156–1162. https://doi.org/10.31018/jans.v10i4.1892 [40] Wildlife Conservation Society. (2023). Indian bird population estimates and conservation status. WCS India Program Technical Report.