Crow vs Raven

Written By: William McReynolds - Highlands Plateau Audubon Society | Issue: April 2025

Both birds are found on our Plateau but if you see a large black bird on the wing or perching on a branch, it is likely to be an American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos). Crows are abundant in our area where some are year-rounders and others migrate from northern climes for the winter. Ravens (Corvus corax) are uncommon but they are here to be seen all year.

Crows are found across the lower 48 but some find their summer breeding grounds in Canada. Ravens, strong and hearty birds, are year-rounders in our Western states and across Canada, including northern Canada and Alaska. Their range includes our part of the Appalachians but very little of the Central and Southeastern U.S. where Crows predominate.

The differences between Crows and Ravens are as a catechism to experienced birders. The Raven is larger – having a wingspan reaching 53 inches on a bird weighing, perhaps, 41 ounces—and has a wedge-shaped tail, large bill and shaggy neck feathers. Crows are more streamlined, weighing up to 21 ounces with a wingspan of 20 inches. The difference in size is not always easy to detect in the field. Look for the large bill and shaggy head and neck of the Raven.

The calls and flight patterns are also different. Ravens soar effortlessly while Crows flap their wings vigorously in flight.

The familiar Crow call is a loud and distinct CaW, CaW while the Raven emits a variety of sounds ranging from deep, throaty croaks to high, bell-like notes: kraaah or brrronk and prruk. Consult your free Merlin app. Raven imitate sounds and, yes, someone has taught a captive Raven to say “Nevermore.”

Both Raven and Crow are highly social but only Crows gather in large flocks called a “murder” of many thousands after breeding season.

If a treetop Crow sees you while taking you morning walk, you can hear it call out to all the other Crows in the area. Listen closely to hear the signal for “there’s a person down here.”

These birds have entered the English language in interesting ways. As a verb, to raven means to eat greedily or prowl for food, to devour, plunder or despoil. To crow is to brag or exult, to talk with self-satisfaction. These meanings seem to bespeak an earlier time when we lived closer to nature.

Happy spring birding from the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society. Our birds here on the Highlands Plateau are, indeed, something to crow about. We must not raven or despoil their natural habitat.

The mission of the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society is to provide opportunities to enjoy and learn about birds and other wildlife and to promote conservation and restoration of the habitats that support them. HPAS is a 501 (c)(3) organization, a Chapter of the National Audubon Society. Visit highlandsaudubonsociety.org for information on membership and all activities.