The Geographical Distribution of House Crows in the Southern Sultanate of Oman (Dhofar Governorate) Based on their Eradication Numbers

The Indian House Crow (Corvus splendens) denotes an avian invasive species that has rapidly spread throughout the Sultanate of Oman, posing significant threats to livestock and competes aggressively with native birds thereby endangering biodiversity in the Omani environment. This study aimed to assess the geographic distribution of House Crows by quantifying the number of individuals eradicated using cricket air guns from December 2022 to June 2023 in the Dhofar Governorate, located in the southern Oman. The study focused on four coastal cities: Salalah, Sadah, Mirbat, and Taqah. Results indicated that the highest number of House Crows were eradicated in Salalah, totaling 48,028 individuals, followed by Taqah and Mirbat with 4,127 and 727, respectively. Sadah recorded the lowest count at 28 individuals. The presence of House Crows was found to be closely associated with human population size, density, and proximity to major fishing port villages. This study provides critical insights into the current status of House Crows in the Dhofar Governorate, enhancing management strategies for invasive species and promoting cost-effective ecosystem sustainability efforts.