BIRD INDEX
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Start with these clues
Look for a broad-winged black bird and listen for repeated caws.
- Relative size
- Large
- Look around
- Lawn, Trees, Buildings
- Region and season
- Widespread; similar crows occur in some regions.
Compare carefully
Common Raven usually has a heavier bill and often a more wedge-shaped tail.
A photograph shows one individual and one view. Check several features, the date and a regional guide before settling on an identification.
Read the Audubon species account for fuller range, behavior and identification context.
What to check first
- For a perched bird, start with the bill in profile. It is usually less heavy than a Common Raven’s.
- A head-on view hides the bill’s projection. If the bird flies, wait for a clear view of the tail rather than guessing from size.