Differences Between Crows and Ravens

Interesting Facts about Ravens and Crows (Raven Intelligence and Adaptations) – includes Videos

Both the Ravens and the Crows are members of the bird genus “Corvus” – informally known as the “crow family.” The term “crow” is often universally applied to all members in that family. In common usage, the larger birds, with shaggy throat feathers, are generally called “ravens” and the smaller species are typically referred to as ” crows.”

Ravens vs. Crows

Overall, the larger body size, the bulkier bill, and the shaggy throat of a raven are diagnostic identifiers.

Below the differences are described in more detail.

Differences Between Crows and Ravens Size:

Ravens are noticeably larger than crows:

A Raven is about the size of a hawk, measuring 24 – 27 inches (61 – 69 cm) in length and weighing about 40 oz or 1.13 kg.

A Crow is comparable in size to a dove, with a body length of about 17 inches (43 cm) and a weight of about 20 oz (0.57 kg).

Differences Between Crows and Ravens Beaks:

Ravens have black, larger, thicker, curved and more powerful beaks.

Crows have weaker bills that are smaller and mostly flat.

Differences Between Crows and Ravens Plumage Details

Both species have some iridescence to their plumages; there is a richer sheen to the Raven’s plumage – compared to the somewhat duller plumage of the Crow.

In the right light conditions, the Raven’s sheen is blue or purple; and greenish in Crows.

Crows may also have lighter markings (particularly before the molt).

Ravens have shaggy feathers around the throat and above the beak. These “feather tufts” are absent in crows, except for a fluff of feathers on the Crow’s crown giving the appearance of a “head crest.”

Differences Between Crows and Ravens Wings:

Ravens have more tapered, longer, pointed wings with longer primaries (flight feathers) and more spacing between them, giving their wings a ‘fingered’ appearance.

Crows have blunt and splayed wing tips.

Differences Between Crows and Ravens Tail:

Ravens have longer, wedge-shaped tails.

Crows have fan-shaped, squared-off tails.

Differences Between Crows and Ravens Flight:

Ravens have a “raptor-like’ flight; they tend to soar in the air for extended periods and sometimes do somersaults in flight giving them the appearance to “dance” in mid-air. Their wings make “swish, swish” sounds, while the wing beats of crows are usually silent. Ravens flap their wings far less often than Crows. Crows never “soar” longer than a few seconds and they don’t do “somersault” in mid-air. In flight, Crows appear to be shorter-necked than Ravens.

Differences Between Crows and Ravens Vocalizations

Ravens have a varied and expansive repertoire of different vocalizations (100 or more); the most familiar of which are a deep, reverberating, hoarse “Gronk-Gronk” or “croooaaak;”

Habitat and Social Behavior:

Crows usually occur in large flocks. Ravens tend to be less social and are usually seen alone or in pairs. However, they may occasionally roost and feed in flocks.

Crows prefer the conveniences and easy access to food found in human populated areas.

Ravens are more likely to be found in remote wooded areas, meadows or hills.

Differences Between Crows and Ravens Diet:

Both crows and ravens are opportunistic feeders that eat almost anything they can swallow.

However, Ravens favor carrion (particular cattle and sheep); in addition to taking insects and produce.

Crows only eat carrion on occasion, and their diet includes many other food items, including insects, mollusks, seeds, fruit, nuts, mice, eggs, nestlings of other birds and fish.

Differences Between Crows and Ravens Lifespan:

Ravens have a lifespan of about 30 years; crows up to 8 years (longer in captive situations).