Is that black-colored bird on your porch an American crow or a common raven?Even seasoned bird watchers may have a hard time answering this question! Hopefully, this article will make the difference between these two birds clearer for you.Crows and ravens are a common sight in North America. So common, that you might have spotted one of these birds just now. But which is it? Is it an American crow or common raven? It doesn’t help that they look quite similar and belong to the same family and order. However, certain physical and behavioral traits help in distinguishing a crow from a raven. For example, the raven’s tail feathers are wedge-shaped while the crow’s tail feathers resemble a fan. Crows are to be found in groups and ravens maximum, in pairs. As a North American, you can spot both these birds in and around your homes. The trick will be to figure out who is who!So what are the differences between ravens and crows? It is now time to go a little further. You can also find fun and more interesting animal facts such as are deer color blind and are crickets good luck on Kidadl.How are crows and ravens different?Crows and ravens are black-colored passerine birds. They are two different species of birds belonging to the same family. While their habitats overlap, the crow and raven have different calls, physical features, and behavioral attributes.An American crow or Corvus brachyrhynchos is a social passerine bird found extensively across North America. It has one prominent call, the familiar ‘caw-caw’. Found in diverse habitats from woodlands to cities, crows are quite familiar with humans. They are known to exhibit aggressive behavior against other bird species. With regard to outer appearance, crows are black birds just like other corvids. However, they are smaller in size when compared to the common raven. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the carrion is only a small part of the diet of an American crow.The common raven or Corvus corax is also referred to as the northern raven. This passerine bird is extensively found in the Northern Hemisphere. These black bird species are solitary species or can be found in pairs. One of its more noticeable calls is a croaking sound. The raven is larger in size and can be as big as a hawk. It has a hairy and glossy coat with a long wedge-like tail. Its habitat range is equally large from desert to the tundra. But it shies away from cities and is more likely to be found in wild habitats. The black bird has pointy feathers which are visible during its flight.American crows and ravens are known for their intelligence and playfulness. Both birds are omnivorous. Ravens and crows are both opportunistic scavengers and predators. Carrion, insects, frogs, garbage, and more are all part of their diet. As many as six hundred items belong to a crow’s menu. They also have many calls. Some act as alert calls that make you aware of other species of birds and animals in the vicinity.These two common species are listed as Least Concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature or the IUCN Red List. Read on to know the difference between the two birds.How To Differentiate Between Crows And RavensSo, how do you tell them apart? Size, shape, calls, behavior, flight, bill, and other attributes enable you to tell the difference between American crows and common ravens.To begin with, in terms of size, common ravens are larger than crows. A raven’s size is comparable to a red-tailed hawk. While ravens have a wingspan of around 4 ft (121.9 cm) and can be 27 in (68.6 cm) long, crows have a wingspan of 2.5 ft (76.2 cm) and approximately 17 in (43.2 cm) in length. Also, common ravens weigh twice as much as American crows. When it comes to beaks, ravens have curvier, broader, and longer beaks while crows have slimmer, straight and shorter beaks. The bristles of the raven’s beak tend to be thicker and longer. The necks of ravens are shaggier than that of crows.Another physical distinction is the tail’s shape. The common raven has longer and wedge-shaped tail feathers. The crow’s tail feathers can be of the same size as that of a raven; however, it is fan-shaped. This difference in tail shape is clearly visible when the two are spotted in flight. Another physical attribute visible during flight is the long neck of the raven. Ravens soar more and are adventurous during flight, unlike crows. Both crows and ravens have feathers with a green and purple tone. The difference lies in the glossy texture of the raven’s feathers. The raven’s wings are more pointy while the crow’s wings are blunt. During flight raven’s wings make swish-like sounds, while crow’s wings during take-off do not make any sounds.Ravens often travel in pairs while crows are seen flocking in groups. Ravens are more common in the wild and less human inhabited parts while crows are quite comfortable inhabiting human-dominated landscapes. Next, you can distinguish one another through the calls. A raven has multiple sounds (at least seven) that it makes, the most prominent is a croaking sound. If you listen carefully, you will be able to identify each of its calls over time. You may be more familiar with the ‘caaw-caaw’ call of the crow. Crows are also known to make alert calls.With regard to behavior, crows are louder, on the other hand, ravens are quiet. Crows can nest in a variety of spaces. Ravens tend to be pickier. Crows are more territorial when it comes to their nesting area. Groups of crows are known to harass solitary ravens as both birds have a habitat that overlaps.A crow’s lifespan is estimated at around eight years while a raven’s lifespan is approximately around 30 years. Therefore, ravens live considerably longer than crows. However, a crow can survive longer if bred in captivity.Are ravens and crows related?Ravens and crows may be different, but they are definitely related. That is why it is hard to tell the difference most of the time.The American crow and the raven are from the order Passeriformes. They belong to the family Corvidae and to the genus Corvus. Belonging to the Corvidae family, they are actually classed under songbirds. Males and females of the American crow and raven look similar. Both species are black birds that are omnivorous. The crow and raven are members of the class of Aves or birds. They belong to the Animalia kingdom. Both birds are listed as Least Concern. Therefore, apart from looking alike, ravens and crows are actually related.Are ravens smarter than crows?This observation is debatable. When it comes to intelligence both birds are equally smart but in different ways. While some believe the raven is smarter out of the two birds, others feel differently.Members of the Corvidae family are generally considered to be very intelligent. The crow has the ability to use tools. The American crows can use tools to adapt to new habitats and conditions. Many experiments and research studies have been conducted with crows as a subject. All the studies have revealed how clever crows are. Crows use their family for protection, food collection, and problem-solving. Crows are known to remember and recognize the faces of people who feed and take care of them. This allows crows to build unique relationships with human beings.One of the biological differences between the two birds is that the raven has a bigger brain. Ravens also have multiple calls and have the ability to mimic other species as well. Ravens are better at flight. They can soar higher and do acrobats, which helps them to attract the attention of mates.Did You Know…Need a quick guide? Here are some facts to help you distinguish between the two passerine birds.The crow is smaller in build than the raven.The crow has a straight and slim beak while the raven’s beak is stockier and curvy.Crows have blunt wings and ravens have pointy wings.Crows tail is shaped like a fan while the raven’s tail is shaped like a diamond.Crows exist in groups and ravens are more solitary birds.Ravens have a shaggier throat while the throat of a crow is slimmer.A crow’s coats are less shinner and glossier than ravens.‘Gronk-gronk’ is the raven’s call whereas ‘caw-caw’ is the crow’s call.Ravens are more commonly spotted in wild areas, unlike crows that have an expansive urban habitat.Crows often use tools to fend for themselves.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for are crows and ravens the same then why not take a look at are birds warm-blooded or are black diamonds real?
Is that black-colored bird on your porch an American crow or a common raven?
