Warning! The following information is for bird nerds only (seriously, deeply nerdy). While most bird enthusiasts around Florida are keenly aware of and can certainly tell the difference between roseate spoonbills, herons, egrets, and other celebrities of the avian world, less thought is devoted to the underappreciated yet far more ubiquitous corvids. Specifically crows and ravens. But which one?
These two feathered geniuses of the sky have perplexed many a birdwatcher and are both common in our area year-round. At a glance, they look similar. Black feathers, sharp beaks, and a penchant for stealing your chips at the beach—but once you dive a little deeper, or in this case, fly a little higher, you’ll see these birds are as different as Doritos and Ruffles, though they’re happy to eat both. Let’s settle this once and for all: who’s who in the corvid world?
Size
First things first: size matters. Ravens are basically the bodybuilders of the corvid family. If a crow and a raven met at a gym, the raven would be the one bench-pressing, while the crow would be hanging in the yoga studio. Ravens are massive, boasting a wingspan of 3.5 to 4 feet.
Crows, on the other hand, are more compact. Think of them as sleek, agile little ninjas of the bird world. Also, when you really look at them closely, they have a deep blue tone to their plumage. They have a wingspan of about 2.5 feet and weigh just around a pound. In the avian boxing ring, the crow is light, fast, and nimble; the raven, the heavyweight champion.
(Sleek crow)
Beak Speak
A raven’s beak is large and intimidating, curving slightly downward like it's plotting something nefarious (or maybe just considering stealing your sandwich). It’s thick, heavy, and equipped with little bristles at the base, a bit like a trendy beard.
Crows, on the other hand, sport more modest beaks. Sleek, straight, and ready for business, a crow’s beak is the Swiss Army knife of pecking tools: efficient, practical, and multifunctional.
(Shaggy Raven)
Plumage & Flight
Shape and plumage also matter, especially to birds. When they take to the skies, you can tell ravens and crows apart by, not only by their plumage and tail feathers, but also by their style of flight. Ravens are a bit shaggy and have wedge-shaped tails, forming a diamond-like silhouette when they’re soaring majestically, because ravens do soar.
Crows, on the other hand, are sleeker and have simple fan-shaped tails. In flight, they’re more likely to flap their wings most of the time and, while their tail feathers may not be as fancy as a raven’s, they get the job done. In all honesty, crows are probably way too practical to care about having a designer tail.
The Voice
Here’s where the personalities really shine. If you’re ever serenaded by the melodic sounds of “CAW CAW!” in the morning, congratulations, you’ve found yourself a crow. It’s an unmistakable sound, like a tiny avian alarm clock that went off a little too early.
Ravens, though, have a much deeper, throatier call, something like a “kraa-kraa” or a “gronk.” It’s the bird equivalent of Barry White’s voice vs Barry Gibb’s voice. (If you don’t know who those two are, never mind, you’re still too young). Ravens also make weird clicking noises, sort of like aliens in the movies.
(A murder on the beach... of crows)
The Social Scene
When it comes to social lives, crows are the extroverts of the bird world. They love hanging out in groups often called a murder – how cool is that? You’ll often see them gathered in trees, parks, or on power lines, probably gossiping about that one squirrel who thinks he’s the king of the bird feeder. Ravens, on the other hand, are more introverted. They prefer the company of just one other raven. You’ll may see them in pairs, but mostly flying solo, like the cool loners they are.
City Slickers vs. Country Birds
Crows are the city birds. They’re the urban planners, the survivors of the concrete jungle. Wherever there are people, there are crows—ready to clean up after us or, more accurately, help themselves to our garbage and leftovers. They’re like the pigeons of suburbia but with more attitude.
Ravens, however, are wilderness lovers. They prefer wide open spaces, forests, and quieter landscapes. You won’t find a raven loitering outside McDonalds. Instead, they’re likely soaring over a marsh or field, contemplating life’s mysteries, or maybe just eyeing a carcass from 300 feet up.
Bird Brains or Bird Geniuses
Both ravens and crows are ridiculously intelligent. In fact, they’re so smart it’s a little unsettling. Crows have been known to use tools, solve puzzles, hold funerals, and even recognize human faces. So if you’ve ever wronged a crow, you might want to apologize the next time you see one. (Remember the funeral thing...)
Ravens, too, are brainy. They can solve complex problems, play games, and are even known to mimic human speech. And yes, that means a raven could technically beat you in a debate, depending upon the moderators of course.
The Verdict
So, who wins in the battle of raven vs. crow? Well, it’s a draw. Both are fascinating, intelligent, and resourceful in their own unique ways. The crow might take the prize for urban survival and group dynamics, while the raven rules the wilderness with its mysterious vibe and air of brooding majesty.
The next time you see a black bird flying overhead, don’t just assume it’s an ‘ole crow or the muse of Edgar Allan Poe. Instead, take a moment to appreciate whether you’re looking at the sleek, crafty and flappy, or the powerful, mysterious, and smooth. And either way, guard your snacks. Both species are notorious thieves.