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Sains Malaysiana 54(12)(2025): 2825-2835
http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2025-5412-02
Physical-Anthropogenic
Influence on House Crow (Corvus
splendens) Abundance in Urban Areas with Varying Levels of Urbanization
(Pengaruh Fizikal-Antropogen terhadap Kelimpahan Gagak Rumah (Corvus splendens) di Kawasan Bandar dengan Tahap Pembandaran yang Berbeza-beza)
WARDAH
MOHD-SALEH1, NAIM MUSTAFA1, NOR HALIZAM ISMAIL2 & FARAH SHAFAWATI MOHD-TAIB1,*
1Department
of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,
43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
2Health
and Environment Department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Menara DBKL 1, Jalan Raja
Laut, 50350 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Received: 13 August 2024/Accepted:
12 December 2025
Abstract
House crow (Corvus splendens) is a well-known invasive species that has
successfully been introduced outside of its native range and colonised many
countries. Their population boom has caused nuisance to humans, especially
those living in big cities. This study aimed to determine the influence of
physical and anthropogenic factors towards the crow abundance, focusing on
their night roosts. Ten selected roosting sites were grouped into highly and
less urbanized sites, and several physical-anthropogenic variables were
inspected. Crow census was conducted between 1730 and 1930 h,
approaching roosting time. PCoA indicates a
relatively strong effect of the physical-anthropogenic measures towards the
crow abundance, with high urban intensity harbours greater crow abundance. GLMM
analysis shows physical factors such as canopy cover and food sources
positively influenced the crow abundance, whereas anthropogenic factors (disturbance
index: pedestrian, traffic, trash, parked vehicle) negatively influenced the
crow abundance (p<0.05). This suggests that crows were highly influenced by
their physical surroundings, yet more adaptable to human presence. Controlling
physical factors is essential for reducing suitable sites for crows to roost
and breed. This study elucidates strategic plans to be undertaken by
authorities and even the public to keep the crow population under control, to
ensure a healthier environment for humans and other urban dwellers.
Keywords: Crow infestation; invasive species;
night roosts; town-planning; urban-dwellers
Abstrak
Gagak rumah (Corvus splendens) ialah spesies invasif terkenal yang telah berjaya diperkenalkan di luar kawasan asalnya dan menjajah banyak negara. Ledakan populasi mereka telah menyebabkan gangguan kepada manusia, terutamanya mereka yang tinggal di bandar-bandar besar. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan pengaruh faktor fizikal dan antropogen terhadap kelimpahan burung gagak dengan memberi tumpuan kepada tempat mereka bermalam. Sepuluh kawasan bermalam terpilih telah dikategorikan kepada kawasan pembandaran tahap tinggi dan rendah serta beberapa pemboleh ubah fizikal-antropogen telah diperiksa. Bancian gagak telah dijalankan antara jam 1730 hingga 1930, menghampiri masa bermalam. PCoA menunjukkan kesan yang signifikan daripada faktor fizikal-antropogen terhadap kelimpahan burung gagak dengan keamatan bandar yang tinggi mempunyai kelimpahan gagak yang lebih besar. Analisis GLMM mendedahkan faktor fizikal seperti litupan kanopi dan sumber makanan mempengaruhi kelimpahan gagak secara positif, manakala faktor antropogen (indeks gangguan: pejalan kaki, lalu lintas, sampah, kenderaan yang parkir) mempengaruhi jumlah gagak secara negatif (p<0.05). Ini menunjukkan bahawa burung gagak sangat dipengaruhi oleh persekitaran fizikal mereka, namun lebih mudah menyesuaikan diri dengan kehadiran manusia. Pengawalan faktor fizikal adalah penting untuk mengurangkan kawasan yang sesuai untuk burung gagak bertelur dan membiak.
Kajian ini menjelaskan perancangan strategik yang boleh diambil oleh pihak berkuasa dan juga orang ramai untuk mengawal populasi gagak untuk memastikan persekitaran yang lebih sihat untuk manusia dan penduduk bandar yang
lain.
Kata kunci: Infestasi gagak; penghuni bandar; perancangan bandar; spesies invasif; tempat bermalam
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*Corresponding author; email: farah_sh@ukm.edu.my
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