Crow or Raven - Quiz

With our completely black feathers, we may appear confusingly similar, but we're far from identical.

  1. When compared side by side, I'm noticeably the larger of the two.

  2. Because my tail feathers are slightly longer in the middle, my tail looks wedge-shaped or triangular when I am in flight

  3. You can typically find me traveling in large groups called "murders."

  4. We both can mimic other sounds including those of other animals, engines, and even human speech, but generally, I caw or purr.

  5. I communicate through gestures.

  6. In flight, I ride thermals and soar.

  7. My beak is straight.

  8. I have a shaggy set of feathers on my throat.

  9. You can find me in cities, towns, and farm country across North America.

  10. I am one of the smartest birds on Earth

— Submitted by Sherman Fung

Scroll down for Answers!

  1. Raven. Ravens can weigh up to four times as much as crows

  2. Raven. Since crows' feathers are all nearly the same length, their tails look more like fans when they're spread.

  3. Crow. Ravens tend to be more solitary than crows, traveling alone or in pairs.

  4. Crow. The raven's typical calls are harsh and croaky.

  5. Raven. Much like the hand gestures of humans, ravens use their wings and beaks to call attention to things.

  6. Raven. Crows do more flapping to fly.

  7. Crow. Ravens have bigger curvier beaks than crows.

  8. Raven. Crows lack these shaggy feathers.

  9. Crow. The crow has adapted to urban life from coast to coast, and can commonly be found in farm country as well.

  10. Both birds are highly intelligent. Crows have the ability to recall human faces, and remember which faces pose a threat. And ravens have been known to active pre­plan tasks and show impulse control.