Difference between Crow and Raven

Animals are a significant part of the environment. They help in the regeneration and rejuvenation of nature. For instance, squirrels help in the growth of smaller shrubs or shoots. Animals play a prominent role in the food chain. They help in maintaining the food chain. Animals are considered to be the consumers of the food chain because they eat plants and animals. Some animals only consume plants. The alpha predator or the apex predator is at the top of the food chain. Killer whales, tigers, lions, wolves, etc., are some of the examples of alpha predators.

Now, there are two significant animals that are considered to be the same because of their appearance. They are crow and raven. They are also part of the food chain.

There are certain contrasting points between them. But let us first discuss some of their key features.

Crow

A crow is a medium-sized bird belonging to the family of Corvidae. The scientific name of crow is Corvus Brachyrhynchos. They belong to the kingdom Animalia and are the third species of the family. Crows are considered to be the most intelligent animals on earth. Their encephalization quotient is equal to that of the non-human primates. The size of the medium-sized crow is 34 cm.

A crow is a round-headed creature having a conical beak curved towards the end. Similarly, the Mexican species are around 60-70 cm in length. It is interesting to note that crows tend to gather in large communal roosts of about 2000s or more in number. They generally gather around garbage and other food sources. As discussed earlier, crows have remarkable intelligence. This is often repeated in the 18^th-century anecdote 'counting crows.' Crows are capable of finding their bait and trapping them. They also use this intelligence in search of their community and search for food. Crows are omnivorous, and they have a diverse diet. They can eat almost everything like fruits, net, earthworms, frogs, eggs, mice, and several other birds. The lifespan of a crow is 20 years. Well, the oldest crow is of about 30 years. Crows are affected by the West Nile Virus in North America. They die within one week of this disease. There are two species of crow that are labeled as endangered, i.e., Mariana Crow and Hawaiian Crow.

Raven

A raven is considered to be a scavenger, i.e., it feeds on dead animals. They are largely built birds belonging to the genus Corvus. The largest raven species are the thick-billed raven and common raven. The scientific name of the raven is Corvus Corax. Ravens are found in the northern hemisphere. The current species of the raven are:

• White-necked Raven (Corvus Albicollis)
• Common Raven (Corvus Corax)
• Australian Raven (Corvus Coronoides)
• Chihuahuan Raven (Corvus Cryptoleucus)
• Brown-Necked Raven (Corvus Ruficollis)

The extinct species of raven include the Chatham Raven (Corvus Moriorum), New Zealand Raven (Corvus Antipodum), and Pied Raven (Corvus Corax Varius Morpha Leucophaeus). Interestingly, ravens have a biblical significance too. According to Lev 11:15 and Duet 14:14, ravens are considered as an unclean bird. They are the messengers of the provision of God.

Talking about the bird's behavior, the raven is a noisy and aggressive animal that feeds on insects, garbage, grains, eggs, dead fish, rodents, etc. They are usually found in small flocks. Ravens have a bulky structure. They are capable of mimicking when kept as a pet. The length of the raven ranges from 50-80 cm (all species included), and their lifespan is of 15 years. The wingspan of a raven ranges from 30-100 cm depending upon the species. Ravens are also omnivorous animals like crows. Ravens are a significant part of the environment as they help in recycling the nutrients to the ecosystem.

Now, there are several differences between raven and crow. So, let us have a look at them.

So, these are some of the contrasting points regarding crow and raven. There are certain characteristics associated with them. So, let us discuss them in brief.

Characteristics of Crows

1. Crows have shiny black feathers.
2. They are found in large communities.
3. They have loud voices.
4. They are the most intelligent creatures on earth.
5. They are clever and curious creatures.
6. They are considered to be thieves and pranksters.

Characteristics of Ravens

1. They are bulky creatures.
2. They have a thick neck and a sharp beak.
3. They have wedge-shaped tails.
4. The wingtips and fingers of ravens are long and thin.
5. They are mischievous and empathizing creatures.
6. They often become scavengers in the winter season.

So, these are some of the characteristics of crow and raven. Raven and crow are significant parts of the animal family. They are mischievous creatures and are found in different regions. They are certain differences that are listed above. Thus, both crow and raven are prominent animals that are responsible for recycling the nutrients of the ecosystem.