Crows, Ravens?

Brooks P

I asked this on that other site, and got a mixed bag of replies, but nothing conclusive.

Now I am relatively certain that this is a Raven.



and judging by the difference in the shape of the bill and a less stocky build in general, I would then say that these are crows






But I have been told by others that these three are juvenile ravens, not crows.

These last two were taken from my bedroom window through parted blinds that I managed to snake my 70-300mm lens through. I could not believe how dirty the window was, boy I have to do something about that, but like they say don't put it off, procrastinate now.

Back to the subject at hand, does anybody know what these birds are? Jeez they are noisy, just ran off three of them out in the street.

Cinda

Good shots, although I'm not a big fan of crows or ravens. The only differences I know are crows are smaller - up to about 18-20" and ravens are larger and can be up to 27". Crows tails are rounded and Raven's tails are wedge shaped and their bills are huge. These look like crows to me, but I'm certainly no expert.

Osprey Whisperer

The simple use of "black bird" will get you off the hook. I hate these birds. They are down here by the millions. They are taking over the area. Reminds me of a Hitchcock movie when I'm out walking to find the "real birds". These are the only birds I'd consider shooting or throwing rocks at. :uhoh They are noisy and annoying. Always making that annoying crowing....messing in the garbage...and dropping on your walks. Bad birds.

.02 of trivia:

Crows account for an entire family of birds, Cordivae, that includes the raven species. That is, all ravens are crows, but crows can be ravens, jays, or magpies. The issue gets a little confusing because of how people typically use the terms; many commonly refer to ravens and crows as species, both in the genus Corvus. While these two blackbirds have many similarities, there are differences in their appearance, behavior, and habitat.
If you are birdwatching, it's easy to recognize differences between a raven and a crow to help identify the bird you spotted. The easiest thing to note is their size. A raven, such as the North American Corvus corax, is larger than a crow. Ravens average 25" tall (64 cm) with a 4 foot (122 cm) wing span, about the size of a hawk, while crows are around 18" (46 cm) tall and their wings span 3 feet (91 cm), similar to a dove. The beak of a crow might look slightly thicker than that of a raven.

Secondly, you can note their particular color. Both are black, but a crow's feathers are a plain, flinty black, and can even have lighter markings. A raven's feathers shine with a blue or purple tint when the sun hits them. Crows can fluff their feathers into a mane to show off, while a raven's individual feathers are larger and pointier. Finally, if you see the bird with its tail spread, a crow's tail curves evenly like a seashell while the tail of a raven meets at a triangular point.

One of their most interesting differences is in their vocalizations. If you have dissuaded birds from hanging around by propping up clothing stuffed with straw, you know how annoying and repetitive the caws of a crow sound. However, a raven's voice varies, able to imitate other birds and animals. You might call a raven's call hoarser and less refined than a crow's, but it isn't as irritating.

You can't immediately detect other differences between a raven and a crow. Crows are tolerant of noisy, populated areas with people and other animals. This gives them their reputation for harassing the cornfields of farmers, since they like scavenging seeds, fruits, and vegetables in groups. Ravens like privacy in their solitary hunt for insects, fruits, and carrion, so they're more likely to be found in remote woods, meadows, and hills. A raven often lives 30 years, while a crow only has an 8-year average lifespan.

There is probably a GOOD reason crows only live 8yrs. Peopl can't stand them.

Brooks P

Well Mike, we have one thing in common at least. I don't particularily like these birds either. Twenty-years ago I never saw them, unless I was near the county dump. Now there are flocks of them everywhere. They drive off the other birds. Even out neighborhood Red-Tailed hawks get harrassed. A couple of times a month thirty or fourty of them will roost on the phone lines outside our house when it is just getting light. The racket they make is enough to wake the dead.

Harryb

I can't tell them apart but I like that first shot.

Dick on Aruba

Nice captures. I like the bird bath too.

Thanks for sharing.

Dick.