Raven vs crows

High in the sky, ravens and crows look the same. A black raven can easily be mistaken for a black crow. But one principal difference between a raven and a crow is that one is larger than the other. The length of a common raven is usually 24 inches. While an American crow is roughly the length of 17 inches. Because of their different sizes, a raven naturally weighs heavier than a crow.

Both are smart and can recognise human faces

American crows have excellent memories, but a word of warning: both ravens and crows are naturally distrustful of humans. American crows might be more open to humans, but common ravens will most likely reject any attempts at friendship. Of course, you shouldn’t take this personally.

Even among themselves, common ravens often travel alone or just in pairs, while American crows flock into groups. They are much more sociable birds than common ravens. If you find a group of black birds huddled together, you are most likely observing crows.

Both have different beaks

The beak of a raven is thicker and looks heavier than a crow’s. A raven’s beak curves down near the tip. Meanwhile, a crow’s beak is thinner and straighter. Feathers surround both of their beaks, but a raven’s feathers are much thicker and appear “shaggier.”

Ravens and crows have different tails

A common raven’s tail is longer, with tail feathers that form a diamond or V-shape. In contrast, an American crow’s tail is shorter, with tail feathers that fan out in a curved shape during flight. In short, a common raven’s tail points out into a diamond while an American crow’s tail flats out into a fan.

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 4th, 2023