Difference Between Crow and Raven

Crows and ravens look alike at first. Both are black birds. They live in many places. Understanding the Difference Between Crow and Raven is simple. Crows weigh about 1 pound. Ravens weigh about 2 pounds. Crows live near people. Ravens prefer wild areas. Both eat similar foods like insects, seeds, and small animals.

Crows lay 3–8 eggs per season. Ravens lay 3–7 eggs. Both species can live over 10 years. Crows are found on every continent except Antarctica. Ravens are found in the Northern Hemisphere. Both are intelligent. They can use tools. They can solve puzzles. They can mimic sounds. Their scientific names are Corvus brachyrhynchos for the American crow and Corvus corax for the common raven. Their differences help you tell them apart by sight and by sound.

Main Difference Between Crow and Raven

Crows are smaller and lighter. Ravens typically form pairs or small family groups. Crows inhabit nearby cities, towns, farms, while ravens prefer remote wilderness or forested areas. Both birds are black; ravens typically appear glossier. Ravens feature shaggy throat feathers while crows have smooth neck feathers with 3-8 eggs being laid each season. Ravens lay only 3-7 eggs at once.

Crow Vs. Raven

What is Crow

Crows are common black birds. They are in the genus Corvus. The American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos, weighs about 1 pound (0.45 kg). Wingspan is around 36 inches (91 cm). They have black feathers with a greenish sheen. Their bills are straight and narrow. Crows have strong legs and feet. They can live up to 10 years in the wild. Crows eat insects, seeds, fruits, and small animals. They also scavenge human trash. Crows often live near people in cities and farmlands. They build nests up to 60 feet high in trees or on poles. A crow nest holds 3–8 eggs. Eggs are pale with brown spots. Both parents feed the chicks.

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Crows are social birds. They form large flocks called “murders.” A group of 100 or more is common. They roost together at night for warmth. In winter, thousands may gather. Crows communicate with calls and gestures. They warn others of danger by loud calls. They can mimic sounds, including human speech. Crows use tools like sticks to get insects. They drop nuts on roads for cars to crack them. Crows are known to recognize human faces. They remember people who threaten them. Crows have complex social lives. They share food and look after mates.

What is Raven

Ravens are large black birds in the genus Corvus. The common raven, Corvus corax, weighs about 2 pounds (0.9 kg). Its wingspan is around 46 inches (1.16 m) [3]. Ravens have glossy black feathers. Their throat has shaggy feathers called “hackles.” Their bills are thick and curved. Ravens nest in tall trees or on cliffs. A nest may be 3–5 feet wide. Nests hold 3–7 eggs that are gray-green with brown spots. Both parents care for the young. Ravens can live over 10 years, sometimes up to 40 in captivity.

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Ravens prefer wild areas like forests, mountains, and deserts. They avoid large cities. They are solitary or in pairs. They often mate for life. Ravens eat insects, rodents, carrion, fruits, and seeds. They also scavenge dead animals. Ravens soar high in the sky and do acrobatic flights. Their calls are deep, including “croak” and “gurgle” sounds. They mimic other birds and sounds. Ravens are very smart. They can solve puzzles and remember hiding spots for food. They use tools to get food. They sometimes play games, like sliding down snowy roofs. Ravens have legends in many cultures as clever tricksters.

Comparison Table “Crow Vs. Raven”

Difference Between Crow and Raven in Detail

Get to know the Difference Between Crow Vs. Raven in Detail.

1. Size and Weight

Crows weigh about 1 pound (0.45 kg). Their wingspan is roughly 36 inches (91 cm). They stand about 16–20 inches tall (41–51 cm). Ravens weigh 1.5–2.5 pounds (0.7–1.1 kg). Their wingspan is about 46 inches (1.16 m). They stand 22–27 inches tall (56–69 cm). Ravens are nearly twice as heavy and longer.

The larger size of ravens helps them fly longer distances. Their broad wings allow gliding. Crows have narrower wings for quick flights and agile turns. Crows often dart between trees. Ravens soar on air currents to save energy. In open areas, ravens can glide high. Crows flap more often to stay airborne. Their smaller size also lets them move through small openings. Ravens need larger takeoff spaces.

2. Bill Shape

Crows have straight, slender bills around 2.2 inches long (5.5 cm). Their bills are smooth. Ravens have thick, heavy bills around 2.5–3 inches long (6–7.6 cm). Bills curve at the tip. Raven bills look larger in proportion to head size.

A crow’s bill suits a varied diet, like insects and seeds. They pick food items from the ground and trees. Ravens use their strong bills to tear flesh from carcasses. Their curved bill helps them dig for insects in wood. Ravens can break bones to reach marrow. The heavy bill also aids in cracking nuts.

3. Vocalizations

Crows make a loud, sharp “caw-caw” call. They have many calls for alarms, social contacts, and food. Their calls are higher pitched than those of ravens. Ravens make deep, resonant “croak” or “caw-rook” sounds. They also make gurgling and clicking noises.

Crows call constantly in flocks to warn of danger. Their alarm calls alert dozens of birds. Ravens, being more solitary, call mainly to communicate with mates or juveniles. Ravens have a wider vocal range. They can mimic animal calls and some human sounds. Crows can mimic, too, but less often.

4. Feather and Tail Shape

Crows have smooth neck feathers. Their tail is fan-shaped when spread. Ravens have shaggy throat feathers called hackles. Their tail is wedge-shaped or diamond-shaped.

When crows fly, their tail looks like a wide fan. Ravens’ tails often look longer and wedge-like. The shaggy throat feathers are visible when ravens call. In sunlight, raven feathers may appear glossier with a purple or blue sheen. Crow feathers have a green sheen.

5. Behavior and Social Structure

Crows are very social. They form large flocks called murmurations. In winter, hundreds or thousands may roost together for warmth. They cooperate to find food. Young crows sometimes stay with their parents to help raise siblings.

Ravens are more solitary or live in pairs. Pairs mate for life. They defend territories together. Young ravens may form small groups before finding mates. Ravens play more than crows. They slide on snow and play ariel games. Ravens may follow wolves to scavenge kills.

6. Habitat and Distribution

Crows live near people in cities, suburbs, farmlands, and forests. They are found on most continents except Antarctica. American crows range from Alaska to Florida. They tolerate human disturbances.

Ravens prefer wild areas: mountains, forests, deserts, and tundra. They range across the Northern Hemisphere. They avoid dense human populations. In remote areas, they nest on cliffs or tall trees. Ravens adapt well but need open spaces to soar.

7. Diet and Feeding

Crows are omnivores. They eat insects, seeds, fruits, small animals, and garbage. In cities, they eat scraps and roadkill. They drop nuts on the roads for cars to crack. Crows cache food like acorns and berries.

Ravens eat similar foods but include larger prey and carrion. They hunt small mammals, steal eggs from nests, and feed on dead animals. Their strong bill lets them tear apart carcasses. Ravens hide surplus food in tree crevices. They remember hiding spots for months.

FAQs: Crow Vs. Raven

Conclusion

The Difference Between Crow and Raven is easy to understand. If you only look at it, crow and raven may seem similar but in fact, they are quite different birds with their characteristics, size, sound, and behavior. The raven is huge with a wing that can measure up to 46 inches, among others and has a deep croak. Crow is small-sized with a small wingspan, while its sound is that of a cow.

References & External Links

• 9 Uncanny Facts About Crows
• 10 Fascinating Facts About Ravens