02 December, 2003

Gill (2003): Osteometry and systematics of the extinct New Zealand ravens (Aves: Corvidae: Corvus).

Gill, B. J. 2003. Osteometry and systematics of the extinct New Zealand ravens (Aves: Corvidae: Corvus). Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 1: 43-58.

Measurements of Holocene raven bones show that birds from the Chatham Islands were significantly larger than those from the South Island, which were in turn larger than North Island birds. Three taxa are recognised: the Chatham Islands raven Corvus moriorum, the North Island raven C. antipodum antipodum, and the South Island raven C. a. pycrafti. New Zealand ravens were the largest crows in the Australasian region, and the Chatham Islands raven was probably the world's fourth- or fifth-largest passerine. New Zealand ravens were strong fliers with no reduction in flying ability compared to weak-flying New Zealand birds like the kokako.

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