Crow vs. Raven - What’s the Difference?

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5. Summary

Crows vs. Raven Crows vs. Raven - Photo: (TL-BR): Chrispo/stock.adobe.com, lwolfartist [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons, Gallinago_media/Shutterstock, John Sandoy/stock.adobe.com, Rolf Müller/stock.adobe.com, CreativeNature.nl/Shutterstock

Here is an overview of all the unique characteristics, behaviors, and abilities of various corvids.

We have compiled the following features for you: size, bill shape, bill color, eye color, plumage color, call, and special traits.

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Crows and ravens are quite easy to spot in both urban and rural areas – they are present wherever there is food available. In the fields, when freshly sown, and in the city, when acorns fall from the trees in autumn or when a trash bin is left unsecured... unfortunately!

Common Raven Common Raven - Photo: Wim/Shutterstock

Jackdaw

Distribution: Europe, Asia, Russia
Size: 13-15 inches (34-39 cm)
Bill Color: Black
Bill Shape: Short and pointed
Eye Color: White
Plumage: Dark brown to black; grayish nape
Call: Kjak, shack, kjok, kjarr
Characteristic: Round head, bright eyes

Rook

Distribution: Europe, Asia, Russia
Size: 17-18 inches (44-46 cm)
Bill Color: Black
Bill Shape: Long, pointed, and narrow; slightly curved
Eye Color: Black
Plumage: Black, with a slight reddish/metallic sheen
Call: Kraa, korr, krrr – the “r” is barely audible, voice is hoarse
Characteristic: Light gray bill, no feathers at the base of the bill; forms large colonies

Carrion Crow

Distribution: Europe, Asia, Russia
Size: 18-19 inches (45-47 cm)
Bill Color: Black
Bill Shape: Broad, strong; slightly curved
Eye Color: Black
Plumage: Black, with a slight bluish/metallic sheen
Call: Kraa, korr, krrr - often repeated three times, voice is hoarse
Characteristic: Black bill, black feathers at the base of the bill

American Crow

Distribution: USA
Size: 16-20 inches (40-50 cm)
Bill Color: Black
Bill Shape: Large, strong
Eye Color: Dark brown
Plumage: Black, with a violet or blue sheen, bluish-green shimmer on the wings
Call: Kaaw
Characteristic: Resembles the common raven but is significantly smaller; no long throat feathers; shorter bill

Hooded Crow

Distribution: Europe, Asia, Russia
Size: 19-20 inches (48-52 cm)
Bill Color: Black
Bill Shape: Broad, strong; slightly curved
Eye Color: Black
Plumage: Black, with gray feathers on the neck and chest
Call: Kraa, arrr
Characteristic: Gray plumage resembles a coat

Common Raven

Distribution: Europe, Nort America, Asia, Russia
Size: 21-26 inches (54-67 cm)
Bill Color: Black
Bill Shape: Large, long, slightly curved; tip points downwards
Eye Color: Black
Plumage: Black, with a slight green to blue-violet sheen
Call: Kraa, arrr
Characteristic: Long throat feathers/hackles that resemble a beard

Taxonomy

Here you will find an overview of the systematics of birds. It may help you understand the classification of birds into families, genera, and species: