Of Corvids

There are no native crows, magpies or other corvids in New Zealand Aotearoa.

Long ago there were ravens in the country but nowadays the only crows that are seen are rooks, introduced by that most New Zealand of organisations: the Acclimitisation Societies. The New Zealand magpie is actually nothing of the sort. It is not from Aotearoa but an Australian introduction of two species, that have now interbred and are considered one, and it is not a true magpie… probably.

The sound of ravens and crows has always been a part of the audioscape of my own life so this week when a visitor to the studio remarked that the birdsong in Aotearoa was different because there are no crows, it became a conversation. The visitors remarked that the sound of crows scared them because they had not grown up with it, and they found the croaking sound harsh and anxiety-inducing.

For anyone who has lived with ravens the sight of these birds tumbling through the sky, locked in battle, is awe-inspiring. In the Shetland Isles, crows and ravens are a symbol of the winter, and are frequently seen in the fire festivals that take place at this time of year: Up Helly Aa. Across much of the world crows are seen and heard, and their presence informs myth, legend and tale.

Luckily, New Zealand has a wealth of birdlife and in Māori culture birds feature prominently. There is nothing quite like crows though, and their sound is something I look forward to on our travels.Isn’t not strange the things we miss when we move home?