Samar Crow Corvus samarensis

Uncommon small black crow. Plumage has an iridescent dark blue sheen when seen up close. Compared to much more common Philippine Large-billed Crow, note present species’ larger-headed appearance, small bare patch behind eye, and somewhat stouter-looking bill. Formerly treated as part of a more generic “Slender-billed Crow” that ranged from the Philippines to Sulawesi; Samar Crow is restricted to pristine lowland rainforest on Samar and (at least formerly) Mindanao. Often encountered singly, in pairs, or as small flocks in flight over swathes of contiguous forest. Note rather high-pitched caws.