Raven vs. Crow: 7 Easy Ways to Tell Them Apart

Raven vs crow: how do you tell them apart? Look at size, tail and voice. A common raven is about as big as a red-tailed hawk. It weighs about twice as much as an American crow. In flight, a raven's tail ends in a point, like a wedge. A crow's tail is round, like an open fan. Ravens also have shaggy throat feathers and a thick, curved bill. And they sound different. Crows give a clear "caw." Ravens give a deep, rolling croak. Both are black birds in the same family, and both are very smart. But they are two different species. This guide walks through the 7 easy clues, side by side, so you can name the next big black bird you see.

In this article

• Raven vs crow at a glance
• Is a raven bigger than a crow?
• What does the tail look like in flight?
• How do the bill and throat compare?
• What do ravens and crows sound like?
• How do they fly?
• Do they travel alone or in groups?
• Where do ravens and crows live?
• Which is smarter, a raven or a crow?
• FAQ

Raven vs crow at a glance

This table compares the two birds most people in the U.S. mean when they ask: the common raven and the American crow. The sizes come from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

1. Is a raven bigger than a crow?

Yes, by a lot. A raven is about the size of a red-tailed hawk. A crow is much smaller, only a bit bigger than a pigeon. A big raven can weigh more than twice as much as a big crow. In fact, Cornell calls the common raven the largest songbird in the world.

The catch is that size is hard to judge when a bird is alone in the sky. Use size as a first hint. Then check the other clues to be sure.

2. What does a raven's tail look like compared to a crow's?

This is the best clue when a bird flies over you. Look at the end of the tail.

• Raven: The middle tail feathers are the longest. So the tail ends in a point, like a wedge or a diamond.
• Crow: The tail feathers are close to the same length. So the tail looks round or square at the end, like an open fan.

3. How do the bill and throat compare?

Up close, the head tells you a lot.

The bill

A raven's bill is big, thick and curved at the tip. It looks almost too large for the head. A crow's bill is slimmer and straighter. The National Audubon Society also notes that the bristles at the base of the bill are longer on a raven.

The throat

Ravens have long, shaggy throat feathers called hackles. When a raven calls, they puff out like a scruffy beard. A crow's throat feathers lie smooth and neat.

4. What do ravens and crows sound like?

If you can't see the bird well, listen. Sound is often the fastest way to tell a raven vs crow.

• Crow: A clear, sharp "caw, caw, caw." Crows also make soft rattles and coos.
• Raven: A low, deep, rolling croak, a bit like "gronk" or "kraa." Ravens have many other calls too, from knocks to bell-like notes.

Birds talk to each other in many ways. If you like bird sounds, read our post on why birds sing.

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5. How do ravens and crows fly differently?

Ravens fly a lot like hawks. They ride warm air, soar in wide circles and glide for a long time without flapping. They also play in the air. Ravens do rolls, dives and even fly upside down for a moment.

Crows flap more. Their wingbeats are steady and even, and they rarely glide far. If a big black bird is soaring in circles high up, it is more likely a raven.

6. Do ravens and crows travel alone or in groups?

Crows are very social. They often live in family groups, and young crows may stay to help raise the next brood. In fall and winter, crows can gather in huge night roosts with thousands of birds. A group of crows is called a "murder."

Ravens are more often seen alone or in pairs. Pairs tend to stay together for years. Young ravens that don't have mates yet may hang out in groups, though. A group of ravens is sometimes called an "unkindness" or a "conspiracy."

7. Where do ravens and crows live?

In much of the U.S., where you are is a strong clue.

• Crows live across most of the lower 48 states. They do well near people, so you see them in yards, parks, farm fields and along roads.
• Ravens are common in the West, the far North, and in mountains like the Appalachians. They like wild places such as deserts, cliffs, forests and coasts. In much of the Southeast and the Midwest, ravens are rare or missing.

So a big black bird in a city park in Ohio is almost always a crow. In the deserts of Arizona or the mountains of Colorado, it could well be a raven. Some birds also travel with the seasons, which we cover in why birds migrate.

Which is smarter, a raven or a crow?

Both are among the smartest birds on Earth, and science has not crowned a winner. They just show it in different ways.

• Crows remember faces. In a well-known University of Washington study, crows learned the face of a person who caught them. They scolded that face for years after.
• Ravens plan ahead. A 2017 study in the journal Science found ravens could save a tool for a task they would face later. That is a skill once thought to be mostly human and ape.

Parrots are another bird group famous for brains. See our post on why parrots talk to learn more.

Frequently asked questions

Is a raven just a big crow?

No. Ravens and crows are in the same group of birds, called Corvus. But the common raven and the American crow are two separate species. They differ in size, shape, sound and how they live.

How can you tell a raven from a crow in flight?

Look at the tail. A raven's tail ends in a point, like a wedge. A crow's tail is rounded, like a fan. Ravens also soar and glide more, while crows flap steadily.

Are ravens and crows the same color?

Both are black from beak to tail. In bright sun, both can show a blue or purple shine. Color will not help you tell them apart.

How long do ravens and crows live?

Most wild birds live much less than the records. Cornell notes the oldest known wild American crow was at least 17 years and 5 months old. The oldest known wild common raven was at least 22 years old.

What is a flock of ravens called?

A group of ravens is sometimes called an "unkindness" or a "conspiracy." A group of crows is called a "murder." These names are old and fun, but birders mostly just say "flock."

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