Crow vs. Raven - What’s the Difference?
How can you tell apart the common raven, american crow, hooded crow, carrion crow, rook, and jackdaw? You’ll find out here!
Crow vs. Raven - What’s the Difference? - Photo: Dirk Ott (right)/Shutterstock, Gallinago_media (left)/Shutterstock
We provide you with helpful tips on how to easily and accurately identify these birds. When we think of ravens, we often picture a black bird. However, not all members of the large corvid family are black. One of the 120 species, for instance, is the magpie, which has white and blue plumage.
The birds that are difficult to distinguish include the common raven, american crow, hooded crow, carrion crow, rook, and jackdaw. All of them are quite common in the USA, Europe, Russia and Asia. They belong to the genus "Corvus".
Before you see them, you can hear them: they caw. But not every caw sounds the same. Ravens and crows produce sounds like "kraa" or "arrr". The hooded crow and carrion crow have a hoarse call, and their "r" is often barely audible. They also emit sounds like "corr" or "crrr". The call of the American crow sound like „caaw“.
Common Raven - Photo: Dirk Ott/Shutterstock
How Are Ravens and Crows Different?
Here you can see all the characteristics in which the animals differ:
Appearance:
- Bill
- Plumage
- Eyes
Anatomy:
- Size
Special Features:
- Call
- Behavior
On the following pages, you will find large images and close-ups that showcase the different plumage and their unique bills. Finally, there will be a clear summary.
Crow vs. Raven - What’s the Difference? - Photo: Dirk Ott (right)/Shutterstock, Gallinago_media (left)/Shutterstock
- Table of Contents
- 0. Introduction
- 1. Bill
- 2. Plumage
- 3. Size
- 4. Special Features
- 5. Summary
