|
Which the raven, which the crow? |
|
October 28, 2017 |
Excerpted from
www.audubon.org
There’s something about crows and ravens that
seems almost spooky, making them the unofficial
mascots of Halloween. Flocks of them aren’t
called an “unkindness of ravens” or a “murder of
crows” for nothing. But not all black birds are
the same.
Can you tell the difference between ravens and
crows?
You’re outside, enjoying a sunny day when a
shadow at your feet causes you to look up. A
large, black bird flies over and lands in a
nearby tree. You wonder: is that a crow or a
raven?
 |
| Maps: Kenn
Kaufman |
| From left:
North American ranges of the Common
Raven and American Crow. Purple means
common in all seasons; light purple
means uncommon in all seasons; red means
common when breeding; blue means common
in winter; light blue means uncommon in
winter. |
These two species, Common Ravens and American
Crows, overlap widely throughout North America,
and they look quite similar. But with a bit of
practice, you can tell them apart.
You probably know that ravens are larger, the
size of a Red-tailed Hawk. Ravens often travel
in pairs, while crows are seen in larger groups.
Also, watch the bird’s tail as it flies
overhead. The crow’s tail feathers are basically
the same length, so when the bird spreads its
tail, it opens like a fan. Ravens, however, have
longer middle feathers in their tails, so their
tail appears wedge-shaped when open.
Listen closely to the birds’ calls. Crows give a
cawing sound. But ravens produce a lower
croaking sound.
While crows caw and purr, ravens croak and
scream bloody murder. A raven's strut is often
punctuated by a few two-footed hops. In flight,
ravens ride the thermals and soar, whereas crows
do more flapping.
Common Ravens are much less common than American
Crows in the Eastern United States. Out West,
it's a toss up. Look for ravens foraging in
pairs; crows are highly sociable and will hang
out in murders and communal roosts.
We’re back looking up at that tree. Now can you
tell? Is this an American Crow or a Common
Raven? |
 |
| Photos: Ed
Oakes/Audubon Photography Awards, Brian
Kushner, Arend Trent/iStock, Andrew
Lunt/Audubon Photography Awards |
| Clockwise
from top left: Common Raven, American
Crow, American Crow, Common Raven.
|
|
|
Questions or comments about this
article?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
