Grackles and crows are both medium to large-sized birds found throughout North America. However, there are some key differences between these two types of birds when it comes to their size and physical characteristics. In this article, we will compare the size of grackles versus crows and look at factors like body length, wingspan, and weight. Read on to find out if grackles really are as big as crows!
Quick Answer
No, grackles are generally smaller than crows. Crows are one of the largest songbirds, while grackles are medium-sized. The body length, wingspan, and weight of the common grackle are all less than the measurements for crows.
Grackle Sizes
There are several species of grackles found in North America, but the most common is the Great-tailed Grackle. Here are the typical size measurements for this species:
Body Length
– 12 to 15 inches
The common grackle has a body length ranging from 12 to 15 inches. This measures from the tip of the bill to the tip of the tail.
Wingspan
– 16 to 20 inches
Grackles have a wingspan of 16 to 20 inches. This is the distance from one wingtip to the other when the wings are fully spread out. The long wings help provide lift for flight.
Weight
– 3.4 to 5.6 ounces
These birds usually weigh between 3.4 and 5.6 ounces. The males tend to be slightly heavier than females on average.
Crow Sizes
There are several different species in the crow family found in North America. The most widespread is the American Crow. Here are the typical measurements:
Body Length
– 15 to 20 inches
American Crows have a body length ranging from 15 to 20 inches, making them slightly larger than grackles.
Wingspan
– 33 to 39 inches
Crows have a much wider wingspan than grackles at 33 to 39 inches across. Their broader wings help them maneuver well in flight.
Weight
– 11 to 21 ounces
These large birds weigh between 11 and 21 ounces on average. That makes them over twice as heavy as most grackles.
Direct Comparison
When looking at the size measurements side-by-side, it is clear that crows are significantly larger:
| Measurement | Grackle | Crow |
|---|---|---|
| Body Length | 12-15 in | 15-20 in |
| Wingspan | 16-20 in | 33-39 in |
| Weight | 3.4-5.6 oz | 11-21 oz |
As you can see, crows exceed grackles in body length, wingspan, and weight. The crow’s wingspan is particularly impressive compared to the smaller wings of grackles.
Why the Size Difference?
There are a few key reasons why crows tend to be noticeably larger than grackles:
Taxonomy
Crows and grackles belong to different taxonomic families. Crows are part of the Corvidae family, while grackles belong to the Icteridae family. The corvid family contains some of the largest songbird species.
Habitat
Crows thrive in both open and wooded habitats and even urban areas. Grackles do best in more open areas like fields, marshes, andshorelines. The varied crow habitat allows them access to more plentiful and diverse food resources which may contribute to their larger size.
Social Behavior
Crows are highly social and intelligent birds that cooperate to find food, defend territories, and raise young. Their social nature may give them advantages in locating resources and contribute to greater size. Grackles are more solitary birds that do not cooperate in large family groups like crows.
Species Variation
The crow family contains some of the largest species in the Corvidae family, like ravens, which can be up to 2-3 times larger than crows. The grackle family does not have this same variation in sizes between species.
Identification Tips
While there is considerable overlap in size, there are some key differences that can help identify whether you are looking at a crow or grackle:
Shape
Crows have more robust, stout bodies. Grackles look lankier with a slender profile.
Wings
Crows have broad, fanned tails that are squared off at the ends. Grackle tails are long and graduated with a V-shape.
Color
Crows are solid black birds. Grackles have more iridescent plumage in black, brown, and steel blue.
Beak
Crows have thick, heavy beaks. Grackles have thinner beaks with a curved culmen (top ridge of the beak).
Flight Style
Crows have slow, steady wing beats. Grackles have a more fluttering flight style with quicker wing beats.
Summary
In summary, while grackles and crows overlap in the medium to large bird category, crows are distinctly larger overall. The typical measurements for body length, wingspan, and weight are all greater in crows compared to grackles. Taxonomy, habitat, behavior, and variation within their families contribute to the more robust size of crows. But there are some key identification tips like shape, wings, color, beak, and flight style that can help tell them apart. So next time you see a big black bird, look closely to determine if it’s a crow or the smaller grackle!
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is a common grackle?
The common grackle measures 12-15 inches in body length, has a 16-20 inch wingspan, and weighs 3.4-5.6 ounces. This makes it a medium-sized songbird.
What’s the wingspan of a crow?
An American crow has a wingspan ranging from 33-39 inches. Their wide, fanned wings help them maneuver nimbly in flight.
Are all grackles smaller than crows?
Yes, all species of grackles are smaller than crows. Even the largest grackle, the Great-tailed Grackle, is noticeably smaller than American Crows and other crow species.
What crow species is the largest?
The common raven is the largest species in the crow family with a body length up to 27 inches and a wingspan over 4 feet. They dwarf the American Crow which tops out at 20 inches long with a 39 inch wingspan.
How can you identify a crow vs a grackle?
Identification clues include the crow’s larger squared tail, thicker beak, broader wings, steady flight pattern, and deep caws vs the grackle’s slender build, slender beak, fluttering flight, and high-pitched squeaking calls.
Conclusion
Crows and grackles may look similar at first glance, but subtle differences in size and proportions set them apart. When comparing measurements, crows consistently come out on top in body length, wingspan, and weight. Their larger size is influenced by taxonomy, habitat, behavior, and variations within their family groups. identification points like tails, wings, and calls can also help properly differentiate between crows and the smaller grackles. While grackles are certainly no small birds, the crow remains one of the largest of all songbirds. So if you come across a particularly huge black bird, chances are it’s a crow!
