Common Raven Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesCommon Raven
Adult
Large, thick-necked bird with a hefty bill and a shaggy neck.
© Christopher Lindsey / Macaulay LibraryUtah, December 16, 2016Adult
Often pushes its head forward and fluffs up its throat feathers when calling.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryColorado, November 01, 2001Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Juveniles have dull brown breast and chest feathers.
© David Turgeon / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, June 24, 2016The world's largest songbird—even larger than most Peregrine Falcons.
© Prabhakar Manjunath / Macaulay LibraryRajasthan, November 29, 2019Adult
Often seen alone or in pairs, but many may gather in larger groups at a carcass or landfill.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, December 01, 1996Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Juveniles are browner than all-black adults.
© Alexander Hagge / Macaulay LibraryMalopolskie, June 25, 2020Has elongated throat feathers, known as “hackles,” that are raised in threat and dominance displays.
© Vivek Saggar / Macaulay LibraryPunjab, June 27, 2020Adult
Flies with heavy, slow wingbeats and interspersed glides. Note the wedge or diamond-shaped tail in flight.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, June 12, 2011Not all videos have sound
Adult
Bill is long and heavy with feathers extending down bill.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, September 27, 2015Adult (with American Crow)
Larger than an American Crow with a wedge-shaped tail.
© Gary Jarvis / Macaulay LibraryMaine, May 13, 2017Adult
Eats almost anything it can find, including carrion. Note the shaggy feathers on the neck and hefty bill.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, December 01, 1996Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Nests on cliffs, in trees, and on structures such as power-line towers, telephone poles, billboards, and bridges. Found in North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
© Jeremiah Trimble / Macaulay LibraryTöv, June 15, 2012Adult
Large, entirely black bird. Occurs over most of the Northern Hemisphere in nearly any habitat.
© Alice Hempel / Macaulay LibraryWyoming, July 07, 2015Flock
Often forms communal nocturnal roosts and forages in groups especially at landfills or near a carcass.
© Randy Harwood / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 15, 2017Habitat
Occurs from desert floors to alpine summits.
© Alexander Hagge / Macaulay LibraryMalopolskie, June 25, 2020Similar SpeciesAmerican Crow
Adult
In flight, American Crows have a short, rounded or squared tail, whereas Common Ravens have a diamond-shaped tail.
© bellemare celine / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, April 24, 2017Similar SpeciesAmerican Crow
Adult
American Crows are smaller than Common Ravens with smaller bill. They also lack the Common Raven's shaggy throat feathers and wedge-shaped tail.
© Henry Burton / Macaulay LibraryOregon, March 19, 2017Similar SpeciesChihuahuan Raven
Adult
Where Chihuahuan and Common Ravens overlap, the Chihuahuan tends to be in desert areas at lower elevations and the Common Raven in forested areas at higher elevations. Chihuahuan Ravens are smaller than Common Ravens with a higher-pitched call. They also have white bases to the body feathers not gray like Common Ravens.
© Amanda Guercio / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 12, 2015Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.