8 Birds Similar to Crows
Birds similar to crows are everywhere! These birds may look like crows but have unique differences. Let’s find out who these feathered friends are!
Common Characteristics of Crow-like Birds:
Many birds look a bit like crows. They mostly have black feathers. This helps them hide from danger. They eat different things like fruits, seeds, and bugs. You can find them in places like forests, parks, and even near people.
They are clever and often hang out in groups. These things make them seem like crows but they have their own special traits. This helps us tell them apart from real crows.
1.Currawongs – (Strepera )
Currawongs are distinctive birds from Australia, easily recognized by their black or sooty grey plumage and bright yellow eyes. Larger than crows, they feature long tails with white ends.
These birds thrive in forests and woodlands, and sometimes urban areas. They have a varied diet, including fruits, insects, and small animals. Unlike the more social crows, Currawongs are often seen alone or in small groups.
Known for their mimicking abilities, they can replicate sounds from other birds and even human-made noises. Currawongs also exhibit notable intelligence and problem-solving skills in their quest for food.
- Length: 16 – 20 inches (40 – 50 cm )
- Weight: 9.9 – 12.0 oz (280 – 340 grams)
- Wingspan: 22 – 30 inches (56 – 77 cm)
- Lifespan: about 15 – 20 years
2. grackle – (Quiscalus)
Grackles are known for their long tails and shiny, iridescent plumage, often showing blue, purple, or bronze colors. They are native to North America and live in a variety of habitats including fields, parks, and urban areas.
Grackles eat a mix of seeds, fruits, and insects.
Like crows, Grackles are intelligent and adaptable, thriving in different environments. They are social birds, forming large, noisy flocks. A unique aspect of Grackles is their varied vocalizations;
they can make a range of sounds from high-pitched squeaks to harsh, guttural noises. Unlike crows, Grackles often display a more iridescent coloration and have a longer, keel-shaped tail.
- Length: 11 – 13 inches (28 – 34 cm)
- Weight: 3.32 – 4.30 oz (94 – 122 gm )
- Wingspan: 14 –18 inches (36–46 cm)
- Lifespan: average l 17 years
3.Rooks – (Corvus frugilegus)
Rooks are part of the crow family, known for their black feathers and pale, bare skin around the base of their beaks. Found across Europe and parts of Asia, they inhabit farmlands, parks, and woodlands.
Their diet consists of insects, seeds, and cereals.
In behavior, Rooks share similarities with crows. Both are intelligent and social, often seen in large groups. Rooks, however, are unique in their nesting habits, forming rookeries where many nests are close together in tall trees.
This communal nesting contrasts with the more solitary nesting habits of some crow species. A distinctive feature of Rooks is their group dynamics, especially during breeding season, reflecting their strong social structure.
- Length: 17.7 inches (45 cm)
- Weight: 15 oz (430 grams )
- Wingspan: 35.4 inches (90 cm)
- Lifespan: up to 20 years
4.Cowbirds – (Molothrus)
Cowbirds are noticeable with their stout shape and color differences between genders. Males typically have a glossy black body with a brown head, while females are duller, gray-brown.
These birds are found throughout North America, inhabiting fields, meadows, and woodland edges.Similar to crows, Cowbirds are adaptable and omnivorous, feeding on seeds and insects.
They share the crow’s intelligent and opportunistic nature. Cowbirds are unique in their brood parasitism; instead of building their own nests, they lay eggs in the nests of other bird species. This fascinating behavior sets them apart from crows and most other bird species.
- Length: 6.3- 7.9 inches(16 -22 cm)
- Weight: 1.3 -1.8 oz (38 -50 gm )
- Wingspan: 12.6-15.0 inches ( 32-38 cm )
- Lifespan: about 5 to 6 years.
Read also: 8 Bird similar to cardinal with Photo
5.Jackdaws – (Coloeus)
Jackdaws are smaller members of the crow family, distinguished by their silvery-grey sheen on the back of the head and their pale eyes. Predominantly found in Europe and northwest Africa, they inhabit open environments like coastal cliffs and pastures.
Similar to crows, Jackdaws are intelligent and social birds, often seen in flocks. They have a varied diet, feeding on seeds, insects, and occasionally small animals.
One interesting fact about Jackdaws is their mating behavior; they mate for life and are known for their strong pair bonds. This lifelong partnership is a unique aspect that is similar to some crow species, highlighting their social nature and complex social interactions.
- Length: 13 – 15 inches (34 – 39 cm)
- Weight: 7.8 – 9.5 oz (220 – 270 grams)
- Wingspan: 27 – 33 inches (68 – 84 cm)
- Lifespan: about 5 to 14 years
6.Magpies – (Gymnorhina tibicen)
Magpies are easily recognizable by their striking black and white plumage and long tails. They are common in many parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. Magpies live in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, gardens, and even urban areas.
Their diet is omnivorous, consisting of insects, small animals, and plant material.
Magpies, like crows, are highly intelligent and social birds. However, they are unique in their iridescent blue and green feathers, which are especially noticeable in sunlight.
Magpies are also known for their loud chattering calls and acrobatic flying skills. One fascinating trait of magpies is their ability to recognize themselves in mirrors, a sign of self-awareness that is rare among animals.
- Length: 17.4 – 19.1 in (44 – 48 cm)
- Weight: 7.1 – 8.4 oz (200 – 240 gm)
- Wingspan: 22.4 in (56 cm)
- Lifespan: 8 to 15 years
7.Ravens – (Corvus corax)
Ravens are large birds, notable for their all-black plumage and heavier bill compared to crows. Found in the Northern Hemisphere, ravens thrive in varied habitats including forests, mountains, and deserts.
They have a diverse diet, consuming meat, grains, and fruits.
Like crows, ravens are exceptionally intelligent and social creatures. However, ravens are unique for their deeper, croaking call and solitary or paired behavior, contrasting with the more social nature of crows.
Another interesting trait of ravens is their playful behavior, often seen performing aerial acrobatics or playing with objects. Their impressive problem-solving abilities and use of tools further highlight their intelligence.
- Length: 24 – 27 inches (61 – 69 cm)
- Weight: 1 – 3.5 pounds (0.7 – 1.6 kilograms)
- Wingspan: 45.5 – 46.5 inches (115 – 118 cm)
- Lifespan: up to 13 years
8.Alpine Choughs – (Pyrrhocorax graculus)
Alpine Choughs stand out with their glossy black feathers, reddish-brown bills, and yellow legs. They live in the mountains of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, favoring rocky cliffs and high meadows. Their diet is mainly insects and berries, fitting their high-altitude homes.
Like crows, they are social and intelligent, but unique in their love for high altitudes. They are known for their playful flying, doing flips and dives in the air. This behavior shows how well they adapt to their windy, mountainous habitats.
birds like ravens, jackdaws, and magpies are often confused with crows due to their similar appearances and behaviors. However, each of these birds has unique features and habits that set them apart, making the world of birds diverse and fascinating.
- Length: 14.6 – 15.4 in (37 – 39 cm)
- Weight: 6.6 – 8.9 oz ( 188 – 252 gm)
- Wingspan: 75 – 85 cm (29.5 – 33.5 in)
- Lifespan: up to 23 years
FAQs:
1. What bird is similar to a crow?
A: Birds like ravens, jackdaws, and magpies are similar to crows, as they all belong to the Corvidae family.
2. What is a black bird similar to a crow?
A: Common Grackles and Cowbirds are black birds similar to crows, known for their iridescent plumage and distinctive features.
3. What bird is related to the crow?
A: Jackdaws are closely related to crows, sharing many traits but with distinct physical differences.
4.What family do currawongs belong to?
A: Currawongs belong to the family Artamidae.
5.What is the scientific name for the English magpie?
A:The scientific name for the English magpie is Pica pica.
Conclusion :
Birds like ravens, jackdaws, and magpies are often confused with crows due to their similar appearances and behaviors. However, each of these birds has unique features and habits that set them apart, making the world of birds diverse and fascinating.
