This is an interesting question that requires looking at some key facts about black birds and ravens. In short, while ravens are black birds, not all black birds are ravens. There are some important differences between ravens and other black bird species that help identify them.
What makes a bird a raven?
Ravens belong to the genus Corvus in the crow family. There are several species of raven, but the most widespread is the common raven, Corvus corax. Ravens are among the largest species of corvids, with big, curved bills and long, wedge-shaped tails. They are completely black, with purple and green iridescence on their feathers when seen up close in good light.
Ravens are highly intelligent birds. They have complex social systems, use tools, and can mimic sounds like human speech. Ravens are omnivorous and opportunistic foragers, eating things like insects, rodents, seeds, fruit and carrion.
Common ravens range widely across the Northern Hemisphere, occupying many different habitats from deserts to mountains to forests. They thrive around human settlements, where food waste and garbage provide rich foraging. Ravens nest on cliffs, in trees and on structures like cell phone towers. Their deep, croaking vocalizations are a familiar sound over much of their range.
Characteristics of black birds
“Black bird” is a loose term that can refer to any bird with predominantly black plumage. There are numerous species from diverse families that could be called black birds. Some examples include:
- Crows – Along with ravens, crows belong to the Corvus genus. They have smaller bills than ravens and fan-shaped, rounded tails. Crows include the American crow, northwestern crow, fish crow and others.
- Grackles – These long-tailed blackbirds belong to the Icteridae family, which also includes orioles and blackbirds.Species include the common grackle and the boat-tailed grackle.
- Starlings – The European starling is an iridescent black bird in the Sturnidae family. It was introduced to North America and has spread rapidly across the continent.
- Blackbirds – The common blackbird of Europe belongs to the thrush family Turdidae. Unrelated New World blackbirds in the Icteridae family include the red-winged blackbird and the rusty blackbird.
- Cormorants – Aquatic birds in the Phalacrocoracidae family with hooked bills. The most widespread is the double-crested cormorant.
There are many other black colored birds as well, spanning diverse bird families. The fact that they share a black plumage color does not necessarily mean they are closely related.
Differences between ravens and other black birds
While ravens are all black, like many other bird species, there are some key features that set them apart from other black birds:
- Size – Common ravens are much larger than most other black birds. They reach lengths of up to 26 inches and have a wingspan around 4 feet.
- Bill shape – Ravens have thick, curved bills, adapted for generalist omnivory. The bills of other black birds like grackles and starlings are typically thinner and more straight.
- Tail shape – Common ravens have long, wedge-shaped tails. Crows have fan-shaped, rounded tails. Most blackbirds have long, rounded tails.
- Feet – Ravens have large feet with thick legs and long middle toes. Many small blackbirds have thinner legs and smaller feet.
- Vocalizations – No other birds have vocal repertoires as extensive as ravens. Their deep, resonant croaks are distinctive.
- Range – While some black birds have widespread ranges, only the common raven occupies such diverse habitats across whole continents.
- Intelligence – Ravens are considered the most intelligent of all black birds. Their cognitive abilities and behaviors set them apart from other species.
These features, in combination, make ravens readily identifiable compared to other black colored bird species. With appropriate observation, ravens can be distinguished from crows, grackles, blackbirds and other black avian species.
Examples of black birds that are not ravens
Here are some common black colored birds that are frequently seen but are not ravens:
American Crow
American crows are smaller than ravens with fan-shaped tails and slimmer bills. They produce a variety of cawing sounds but lack the repertoire of raven vocalizations. Crows do not soar like ravens but have more direct flight patterns.
Red-winged Blackbird
Male red-winged blackbirds have distinctive red and yellow shoulder patches that ravens lack. They are much smaller than ravens and have conical bills adapted for eating seeds and insects. Red-winged blackbirds stay close to freshwater marshes.
Common Grackle
With their long tails and slender bills, grackles have a very different silhouette from chunky, short-tailed ravens. Male grackles appear black but have iridescent purples and greens in their plumage. Grackles make squeaky, clicking sounds.
European Starling
Starlings are small, sparrow-sized birds with narrow, pointed bills. The feathers of adults are glossy and iridescent in bright light. Starlings produce a wide repertoire of songs, chirps, squeaks and whistles.
Conclusion
In summary, while the common raven is a black bird, not all black colored birds are ravens. Ravens have a distinctive size, shape, voice and behavior compared to crows, blackbirds, grackles and other black avian species. With practice, ravens can be reliably distinguished from other black birds based on key identification traits. So while “black bird” refers to any predominantly black feathered species, the raven has a unique set of characteristics all its own.
