Fish Crow Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesFish Crow
Entirely black bird with a heavy bill and sturdy legs. Very slightly smaller than an American Crow.
© Nathan Dubrow / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, June 11, 2016Often seen walking or skip-hopping along the ground while foraging.
© Mike Schanbacher / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, December 24, 2013When calling from the ground, it often leans forward and fluffs up its neck feathers.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryNorth Carolina, January 01, 1994Not all videos have sound
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryNew York, March 08, 2016
In addition to eating fish and other plant and animal foods, they frequently raid nests, eating eggs and nestlings of colonial nesting waterbirds, terns, and gulls.
© S. K. Jones / Macaulay LibraryTennessee, May 25, 2017Often walks along the ground. A unique wing tag and leg bands mark this individual, which allows researchers to track and monitor its behavior.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, December 11, 2015Not all videos have sound
Found along the coast and inland along major freshwater rivers and lakes. They use a wide variety of habitats often near water, including towns and cities near parks, docks, and landfills.
© Tristan Lowery / Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 09, 2017Often found eating food scraps at garbage or compost piles. This individual has a wing tag and leg bands to help researchers monitor its behavior.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, December 11, 2015Not all videos have sound
Similar to American Crows, it flies with rowing wingbeats, but note longer tail.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryArkansas, April 08, 2005Not all videos have sound
Similar SpeciesAmerican Crow
Adult
The easiest way to separate American Crows and Fish Crows is by their calls. American Crows give a burry, full-throated “caw”, while Fish Crows are more nasal sounding, often giving short “cow” notes in pairs. American Crows are slightly larger with broader wingtips, but visual identification is very difficult.
© Henry Burton / Macaulay LibraryOregon, March 19, 2017Similar SpeciesCommon Raven
Adult
Common Ravens are much bigger and bulkier, with larger bills than Fish Crows.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 14, 2007Similar SpeciesBoat-tailed Grackle
Adult male
Boat-tailed Grackles are smaller and more slender, with much longer tails than Fish Crows.
© Marie Chappell / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 23, 2016Similar SpeciesEuropean Starling
Breeding adult
The European Starling is another widespread black bird that occurs in flocks, but it is far smaller than a Fish Crow with a longer, more slender bill.
© Dan Vickers / Macaulay LibraryGeorgia, April 25, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Crows, Jays, and Magpies(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Corvidae)
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