The big black squawking bird you are referring to is most likely a crow or a raven. Crows and ravens are large, intelligent, all-black birds that belong to the corvid family. They are known for their loud, harsh “caw” vocalizations. Let’s take a closer look at some quick answers about these fascinating birds:
What do crows and ravens look like?
Crows and ravens are entirely coal black, with strong black beaks and feet. They have glossy black feathers that may show some purplish or bluish iridescence in bright light. Both crows and ravens are relatively large, robust birds, around the size of a hawk.
How can you tell crows and ravens apart?
Crows and ravens are very similar in appearance. The main differences are:
– Size: Ravens are significantly larger, around 25 inches long with a 4 foot wingspan. Crows are around 18 inches long with a 3 foot wingspan.
– Tail shape: Ravens have longer, wedge-shaped tails. Crows have shorter, fan-shaped tails.
– Beak shape: Ravens have larger, stronger, curved beaks compared to crows’ smaller, straighter beaks.
– Throat feathers: Ravens have elongated throat feathers called hackles. Crows do not have these distinctive hackles.
Where do crows and ravens live?
Crows are very widespread and adapt well to human environments. They thrive around suburban and urban areas across North America. Ravens have a more natural range, preferring remote forests, mountains, and deserts. Their range covers most of North America.
What do crows and ravens eat?
Crows and ravens are omnivorous, eating a variety of plant and animal matter. Their diet may include seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, grains, small animals, eggs, nestlings, carrion, and food waste. They use their strong beaks to pick apart food.
How smart are crows and ravens?
Crows and ravens are considered some of the most intelligent birds. They have large brains relative to their body size, are adaptable problem solvers, and excellent tool users in the wild. Captive ravens can learn and manipulate complex puzzles.
Do crows and ravens mate for life?
Yes, crows and ravens form long-term pair bonds that may last for years. Mated pairs cooperate to build nests together each spring and defend their territory year-round. Outside of breeding season, they often forage and roost in large communal groups.
How do crows and ravens communicate?
Crows and ravens have a wide repertoire of vocalizations used to communicate. This includes their loud, familiar “caw,” but they also use rattles, knocks, coos, and other notes. They can mimic noises and calls of other species. Pairs may engage in remarkable “conversations.”
Why do crows and ravens gather in large groups?
During non-breeding seasons, crows and ravens form large communal roosts that may contain thousands of birds. These gatherings allow them to share information about feeding sites, predators, and other threats. There is safety in numbers from predators.
Crow vs Raven Comparison Table
Feature | Crow | Raven |
---|---|---|
Size | 16-21 inches long 32-40 inches wingspan |
22-27 inches long 45-48 inches wingspan |
Weight | 12-20 oz | 40-60 oz |
Flight Style | Regular flapping | Soaring, gliding |
Tail | Fan-shaped | Wedge-shaped |
Beak | Smaller, straighter | Larger, curved |
Throat Feathers | Plain | Shaggy hackles |
Range | Across North America | Western North America |
Habitat | Fields, forests, urban areas | Remote forests, mountains |
Vocalizations | Harsher “caw, caw” | Deep, hoarse “croak” |
Communal Roosts | Large, with thousands | Smaller, with hundreds |
Crow and Raven Behavior
Crows and ravens showcase very sophisticated behavior and intelligence for birds. Here are some of the most fascinating things we know about these clever corvids:
Tool use
Both crows and ravens are prolific tool users in the wild. They construct probes and hooks from sticks, twigs and even their own feathers to fish out tasty insects and larvae from crevices.
Puzzle solving
Lab experiments reveal just how smart crows and ravens are. They can solve complex sequential puzzles, pull strings to reach food, and even drop stones into water to raise the water level to get a floating treat.
Deception
Crows have been observed pretending to hide food in one place, only to move it when other birds aren’t looking. This suggests they understand visual perspective.
Facial recognition
Crows can remember and recognize human faces associated with threats or kindness towards them. They respond accordingly when they encounter certain people.
Communication
As social birds, crows and ravens have an extensive array of calls and noises used to communicate. Mated pairs may even engage in remarkable noisy “conversations.”
Mobbing
Crows and ravens will mob predators or threats in a large, loud flock. This communal defense drives the predator away and may teach young birds about dangers.
Play
Crows have been observed sliding down snowy rooftops, apparently just for fun. They also playfully chase, wrestle, and tug sticks with each other. This helps build social bonds.
Gifting
Crows sometimes gift trinkets like bottlecaps, beads, or other novel items to human friends that feed them regularly. They may be showing off their tool use skills.
Myths and Symbolism
Crows and ravens play major roles in the mythology, folklore, and superstitions of many cultures. Here are some of the beliefs associated with these birds:
Omens of death
Seeing or hearing a crow or raven was often thought to foretell death and disaster. Their presence at scenes of death and darkness like cemeteries and battlefields reinforces this belief.
Messengers
Some Native American tribes consider crows and ravens messengers between worlds, capable of moving between life and death. Some view them as departed souls.
Tricksters
Crows and ravens are portrayed as clever tricksters in many Native American legends. Their intelligence allows them to deceive others and evade capture in stories.
Magic
Witches were thought to transform into crows and ravens in medieval European folklore. Some wore cloaks of crow feathers to fly. Crows and ravens appear as magic users’ familiars.
Bad omens
In Britain, a murder of crows is thought to predict illness. Seeing lone crows or ravens can mean misfortune. Hearing their cries foretells bad news. Many avoid them as omens.
War and death
Crows and ravens frequented battlefields to feed on the dead, so they became associated with war deities like the Norse god Odin. Some Native American tribes associate crows with death.
Knowledge
Some view the crow or raven’s intelligence as a sign of hidden wisdom or prophetic knowledge. Odin’s ravens Huginn and Muninn represented thought and memory.
Interactions with Humans
Crows and humans interact in many ways, from beneficial relationships to conflict over nuisance behavior:
Pets
While it’s uncommon, some people do keep captive crows or ravens as pets. They require special permits since it’s illegal in most states. They can bond closely with owners.
Wildlife rehab
Injured crows and ravens are often brought to wildlife rehabilitators. Their intelligence makes them fun, engaging animals to work with before release back to the wild.
Attacking songbirds
Some people dislike crows for attacking and eating eggs and nestlings of songbirds. Crows thrive near humans but this also encroaches on other species.
Crop damage
Crows can damage crops by pecking ripening fruit and corn. Farmers sometimes use scarecrows or noisemakers to deter crows from feeding on crops.
Scavenging cities
Huge crow flocks in urban and suburban areas cause noise complaints and make messes scavenging through trash. Cities must clean up food waste that draws crows in.
Hunting
Crow hunts are held in some rural areas to control populations. Hunters use calls and decoys to attract crows in for shooting. Some opponents consider this controversial.
Feeding crows
People often intentionally feed crows peanuts, popcorn, and pet food. This makes the birds tame and dependent on handouts. It also encourages large aggregations.
Crow and Raven Conservation
Crow and raven populations remain widespread, but face some key conservation issues:
West Nile Virus
Crows are highly susceptible to West Nile, an introduced bird disease. Deaths from West Nile reduced American crow numbers by 45% after 1999. Populations have rebounded.
Hunting
Sport hunting of American crows remains legal without limits in most states. Conservation groups contend hunts are excessive and threaten local crow populations.
Habitat loss
Crows adapt readily to human areas, but ravens are very sensitive to habitat changes. Development, logging, and fires in remote forests are detrimental to ravens.
Poisoning
Crows ingest lead shot and poisoned rodents, causing mortality. Intentional crow poisoning is illegal but still practiced in some agricultural areas. Better regulation of poisons is needed.
Climate change
Crows and ravens will face increasing heat stress. Declining nesting habitat and prey availability may also negatively impact these birds as climate changes worsen.
Window collisions
Crows frequently collide with glass while chasing reflections or attempting to fly through transparent window panes. More bird-friendly architecture could reduce crow deaths.
Corvid appreciation
Promoting public interest and appreciation for crow and raven intelligence and behavior can stimulate support for ongoing conservation efforts. Their unique traits fascinate many.
Conclusion
Crows and ravens command attention with their stark black plumage, raucous vocalizations, aerial acrobatics, and remarkable intelligence. These social, resourceful birds thrive near human settlements, where they sometimes cause nuisance problems. But they also delight birdwatchers with their playful antics, problem-solving skills, and bizarre gifts. Respect for the crow and raven’s uncanny smarts and adaptability should inspire us to ensure their conservation for generations to come.