Crow vs. Raven - What’s the Difference?

How can you tell the difference between raven, rook, carrion crow, hooded crow and jackdaw? We provide helpful tips!

When we think about ravens, most of us think of a black bird. But not all birds in the raven family are black. For instance, one of the 120 species is the magpie, which has white and blue plumage.

The birds we have so much trouble telling apart are the common raven, rook, carrion crow, hooded crow and jackdaw. They are all common in Europe and are part of the “ravens and crows” genus.

Common Raven - Photo: Dirk Ott/Shutterstock

How Are Ravens and Crows Different?

Here you can see all the characteristics in which the animals differ:

Appearance

• Beak
• Plumage

Anatomy

• Size

Bevahior

• Call

Over the following pages, you’ll find large images and a few rules to work out which is which. Finally, there’ll be a clear summary.

Let's Find Out: Raven or Crow?

Common Raven - Photo: Chrispo/stock.adobe.com

• Table of Contents
• 0. Introduction
• 1. Beak
• 2. Plumage
• 3. Size, Call and Summary With All Differences