What are the different sounds between a crow and Raven?

Crows and ravens may look similar and are both highly intelligent birds, but they make distinctly different vocalizations. By learning the various calls, caws, and croaks of these two corvid species, an attentive birdwatcher can identify them by sound alone.

Crow Vocalizations

Crows have a wide repertoire of sounds they use to communicate different messages. Here are some of the most common vocalizations made by crows:

• Caw – The classic “caw caw” sound that these birds are famous for. Crows make this call to signal alarm, gather together a flock, or advertise their presence. The caw is often repeated in a series for emphasis.
• Rattle – A rapid-fire repetitive cawing that sounds almost like a birdy machine gun. The rattle serves as an alarm call warning other crows of danger.
• Scold – A harsh, rasping noise that sounds like a cranky old man yelling “get off my lawn!” Adult crows scold to drive off predators or intruders near their nest.
• Coo – Soft cooing sounds made by baby crows when begging for food from their parents. The coo vocalization gets replaced by adult calls as the babies mature.
• Subsong – Quieter muttering sounds made by fledgling crows as they practice producing adult vocalizations. Subsong helps young birds learn the complexities of crow speech.

In addition to these distinct calls, crows also make non-vocal sounds by clapping their bills together or rattling sticks and seeds in their throats. These mechanical sounds serve as alerts rather than coded communication.

Raven Vocalizations

Like crows, ravens employ a wide range of vocalizations that go far beyond their iconic “croak.” Here are some key raven calls and what they mean:

• Croak – The quintessential raven cry, the croak serves social purposes rather pairing displays and reinforcing bonds between mated pairs. The croak is often repeated in a series.
• Knock – Ravens make this knocking clatter by dropping pebbles onto hard surfaces. The knock acts as a territorial display and assertion of dominance.
• Caw – Ravens give a harsher, higher-pitched caw as an alarm call associated with the presence of perched raptors like hawks or eagles.
• Warble – A gurgling croak that ravens produce during aerial displays. The warble lets the bird artfully show off while maneuvering through the air.
• Tinkle – A metallic rattling sound made with the raven’s bill during aggressive interactions. The tinkle serves as a threat display when squabbling over resources.

Young ravens go through a babbling stage where they mimick and practice adult sounds to master vocal communication. Ravens can also make bill-clicking noises similar to crows when feeling threatened.

Comparing Crow and Raven Vocalizations

When listened to side-by-side, the calls of crows and ravens have noticeable differences.

Some key differences stand out:

• Crows give a rapid, machine gun-like rattle for alarm, while ravens caw at a slower cadence.
• Crows coo when begging for food as babies, but raven fledglings do not have a distinct begging call.
• Ravens make a unique bill-rattling tinkle sound during aggressive encounters that crows do not.

Crow vs Raven Sounds By Habitat

Habitat can also give clues on whether an unseen corvid is a crow or raven. Here is how their vocalizations differ by habitat:

Woodlands and Forests

The deep, croaking “tok” of the raven resounds through forest habitats. Solitary common ravens stake out large forested territories as breeding pairs. By contrast, crows occur in smaller family flocks rather than pairs in the forest, so any noisy, cacophonous group signals the presence of crows.

Fields and Open Areas

Drawn-out cawing back-and-forth signals passing flocks of crows in open agricultural areas and grassland habitats. In the same habitat, raven pairs fly together but make little sound other than an occasional croak.

Coastlines

The guttural, nasal calls of fish crows and American crows carry over the sound of surf along coasts. Ravens are limited to more northern coastal areas, where their deeper croaks can be discerned from the caws of foraging crow flocks.

Urban Areas

From city streets to shopping centers, garbage-foraging American crows are a noisy bunch, giving constant rattles and caws. Urban ravens are far less common, but can occasionally be identified by their signature croaking call.

Telling the Species Apart Visually

Sound isn’t the only way to tell crows and ravens apart – they also differ visually in some subtle but important ways:

The most reliable ways to visually ID the species are:

• Ravens are significantly larger than crows
• Ravens have bulkier bills and shaggier throat feathers
• A crow’s tail is flat while a raven’s tail is wedge-shaped
• Ravens soar with spread-apart primary feathers, crows make direct flaps

Nesting and Roosting Habits

Finally, the nest sites and night-time roosts favored by each species offer more clues on their identification:

• Nesting – Crows build smaller, less sturdy stick nests near tree tops, while ravens construct larger, bulkier nests on cliff ledges or building crevices.
• Roosting – Winter roosts of crows number hundreds to thousands of birds. Ravens roost in pairs or small family groups rather than massive communal flocks.

Knowing where to look for nests and night roosts can confirm the species based on their different habits.

Conclusion

In summary, crows and ravens share many traits but can be reliably told apart through their vocalizations, visual features, and habits:

• Crows give harsh, rapid rattling calls while ravens deep croaks are slower and lower-pitched
• Ravens are significantly larger with bulkier bills and shaggier throat feathers
• A crow’s tail is flat while a raven’s tail is diamond or wedge-shaped
• Crows nest in treetops and gather by the hundreds or thousands to roost, unlike paired ravens

An observer armed with these sound clues, field marks, and behavioral differences should have little trouble discerning crows from ravens, even at a distance.