Prepare to enter the fascinating world of crows. This family of beady-eyed and highly intelligent birds can be seen all over the world, but many people think that the raven and the crow are two different names for the same creature. But this is not true; raven and crow are not the same thing. So, can you tell them apart and are you knowledgeable and careful enough to tell the difference?
Here are the most important differences between a raven and a crow…
The raven and the crow: what’s the difference?
- Ravens are larger than crows. In general, ravens weigh between 690 grams and 2 kilograms, and they also have larger beaks and a distinctive tail shape.
- In flight, raven tails are wedge-shaped, while crows’ tails are fan-shaped. Ravens have a special type of neck feathers, while crows’ throat feathers are softer.
- The crow and raven distribution in North America has some overlapping habitats. But while crows are common in towns and cities, seeing ravens in an urban setting is much rarer.
- Another way to tell the difference is the chirping of each bird: ravens are famous for their deep voices, while crows have the more typical cacking sound.
- Ravens usually travel in pairs, while crows are often seen in larger groups. On average, crows live for about seven to eight years in the wild, while ravens can live for 10 to 15 years.
- Much smaller than a raven, crows are about the size of a pigeon, while ravens are closer to a red-tailed hawk, the Audubon Society says.
- There are about 120 species in the family Corvidae, which, along with crows and ravens, includes not only the genus Corvus, but also magpies and jays.
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