House crows help spread green cover in arid Rayalaseema, study finds

House crows are playing an unexpected role in expanding green cover across the arid Rayalaseema region, a study at Sri Krishnadevaraya University has found.

The research documents how the birds feed on ripe neem fruits between March and June, when the trees are in fruit. The seeds pass through their digestive systems and are deposited in droppings at locations a kilometre or two from the parent tree.

These drop sites are varied — villages, agricultural fields, tank bunds and semi-urban roads all feature among the places where neem seeds are being deposited. Over time, this natural dispersal is helping neem trees take root in areas away from existing stands.

Data from the study points to roughly a 2% increase in urban greenery in parts of Rayalaseema, a region known for its dry climate and sparse vegetation. The findings suggest that the foraging habits of house crows contribute to the spread of neem, a hardy species suited to such conditions.

The study draws attention to the ecological role played by a bird that is a familiar presence in human settlements across the region, and to the way its feeding patterns interact with the landscape.