It was once easy to tell a carrion crow from a raven, despite similar looks. Until about 30 years ago, ravens were rare and confined to the uplands of the north and west of Great Britain, so any large black bird was likely to be a crow.
But in recent decades, with less persecution from farmers and gamekeepers, the raven has made a comeback across the UK, and its range heavily overlaps with that of its smaller cousin. Therefore, greater skill is needed to tell them apart. Learn how to tell these birds apart with our guide.
What type of birds are ravens and crows?
Ravens and crows are corvids, which means they are members of the highly intelligent crow family that includes jackdaws, magpies, jays and rooks. And unlike rooks and jackdaws, crows and ravens are solitary or gather in twos or small family groups rather than flocks.
Where do ravens and crows live?
In the UK, the raven prefers craggy hills and cliffs but the crow can be found anywhere, from unpromising farmland to city centres.
How to tell the difference between a raven and crow
The raven is significantly bigger than the crow, with a wingspan of 140cm – comparable to that of buzzards – while the crow reaches 90cm. And while both have black plumage, the raven’s has a metallic blue sheen – if you can get close enough to see it. It also has a ruffle of beard-like throat feathers. The birds’ tails are different, too, with the raven possessing a wedge rather than the crow’s fanned tail.
Another easy way to distinguish the two species is through their calls. The crow makes a rattling rasping ‘caw, caw, cawcaw’; the raven utters a guttural ‘rark, rark’. In flight, the raven is more aerobatic: soaring, tumbling and flying upside down, especially during courtship flights early in the year. The crow is more direct – perhaps leading to the saying, ‘as the crow flies’.
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What do these birds eat?
Both species are opportunistic feeders, taking fruit and grain as well as eggs, nestlings, small animals and carrion. However, the raven’s massive bill can tackle bigger prey or tear open the tough hide of dead animals that would defeat a crow.
Main image: Raven (left) and crow (right)/Getty
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