Black-Billed Magpie vs Common Raven

Black-Billed Magpie

Pica hudsonia

Also known as: American Magpie

How to recognise a black-billed magpie?

General appearance

The black-billed magpie is unmistakable with a size about that of a crow, mallard, or herring gull, varies between 17 1/2 -22 inches (44-56 cm). It possesses distinctive coloration, featuring a black body with a green and blue gloss on its wings and long, wedge-shaped tail. Its large white wing patches are particularly noticeable during flight.

Male vs female

There is little sexual dimorphism in black-billed magpies, which means males and females look very similar to one another. Both genders share the black coloration, along with the green-blue glossy wings. The wings are broad, either fingered or rounded, and their tails are long, wedge-shaped.

Juvenile

Juvenile black-billed magpies will have similar coloration to adults, but their colors may initially appear less vibrant with the glossy wing sheen developing as they mature. Similar to adults, the juveniles' wing patches flash white during flight.

Size

17.7 - 23.6 in/5.1 - 7.4 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The preferred habitat of the black-billed magpie includes rangeland, conifers, streamsides, forest edges, and farms, often residing in the western semi-open terrain.

Additional range

Unexpectedly, it is also found in some suburban areas. It avoids unbroken forest, treeless grasslands, and extreme deserts. Its most common locations are streamside groves in open terrain and farm country.

Range Map

What do black-billed magpies like to eat?

Natural diet

The black-billed magpie is omnivorous with a varied diet. Insects such as grasshoppers, caterpillars, flies, and beetles are consistently consumed. Other natural food sources include carrion, rodents, eggs, and young of other birds, as well as sometimes small snakes. In winter, their diet includes more vegetable matter like berries, seeds, and nuts.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, black-billed magpies may be attracted to seed mixes, especially those containing peanuts, sunflower seeds, and suet. They may also take advantage of kitchen scraps and other foods offered to larger birds.

What does a black-billed magpie sound like?

The vocalizations of the Black-billed Magpie display a diverse range. Its typical calls can be described as rapid, nasal "mag? mag? mag?" or chatter-like "yak yak yak." The calls vary in pitch, characterized by a flat or rising pattern that is quite distinctive. Other vocalizations include chirps or chips, and sometimes raucous screams, indicating the bird's complex and dynamic communication repertoire. Their sound is distinct, engaging, and expressive, making them one of the more vocally varied species.

Call

Audio by Gabriel Leite

/ CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

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Common Raven

Corvus corax

Also known as: Western Raven, Northern Raven

How to recognise a common raven?

General appearance

The common raven is a large bird, about the size of a heron or a mallard. Its size ranges between 53-69 cm. It has a black coloration throughout its body. Its wings are fingered, long and narrow. The tail is distinctive, having a wedge shape. The raven's throat feathers are shaggy and it has a very thick bill.

Male vs female

In terms of coloration, size, shape, and overall appearance, male and female common ravens are similar. They exhibit sexual monomorphism, which makes it difficult to distinguish between the sexes.

Juvenile

Juvenile common ravens are similar to adults. However, juveniles might have a slightly more slender appearance and lack the shagginess of the adult neck feathers. As they mature, they will gain this more robust appearance and the distinctive shaggy throat.

Size

22.8 - 27.2 in/24.3 - 57.3 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The common raven predominantly resides in boreal and mountain forests, tundra, and on coastal cliffs. It often chooses heavily forested regions as its habitat.

Additional range

In addition to its primary habitats, the common raven can survive in extreme climates, ranging from the tundra above the Arctic Circle to the hot desert areas of the southwest. Surprisingly, it may also inhabit prairies, provided there are suitable nest sites, like cliffs, nearby.

Range Map

What do common ravens like to eat?

Natural diet

Common ravens are omnivorous and have a diverse and adaptable diet primarily consisting of animal matter. They feed on a variety of insects such as beetles and caterpillars, small rodents, lizards, frogs, and the eggs and young of other birds. Ravens also consume carrion and can often be seen scavenging. Additionally, they may eat some plant matter and can adapt to a wide range of available food sources.

Bird feeders

While not typically dependent on bird feeders, common ravens may be attracted to them if they contain food items that resemble their natural diet. They may be drawn to seeds, nuts, suet, and occasionally, other high-calorie offerings that are available at bird feeders, especially in areas where food is scarce.

What does a common raven sound like?

The common raven vocalizes with deep, varied, and guttural croaking sounds. Its calls can mimic a hollow 'wonk-wonk' noise and they tend to follow a simple, flat pattern. Additionally, its calls can sometimes be odd and raucous. Overall, the raven's signature sound can be described as a croak or quack, setting it apart in avian communication.

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

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Black-Billed Magpie

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Common Raven

Black-Billed Magpie

Pica hudsonia

Also known as: American Magpie

General appearance

The black-billed magpie is unmistakable with a size about that of a crow, mallard, or herring gull, varies between 17 1/2 -22 inches (44-56 cm). It possesses distinctive coloration, featuring a black body with a green and blue gloss on its wings and long, wedge-shaped tail. Its large white wing patches are particularly noticeable during flight.

Male vs female

There is little sexual dimorphism in black-billed magpies, which means males and females look very similar to one another. Both genders share the black coloration, along with the green-blue glossy wings. The wings are broad, either fingered or rounded, and their tails are long, wedge-shaped.

Juvenile

Juvenile black-billed magpies will have similar coloration to adults, but their colors may initially appear less vibrant with the glossy wing sheen developing as they mature. Similar to adults, the juveniles' wing patches flash white during flight.

Size

17.7 - 23.6 in/5.1 - 7.4 oz

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Common Raven

Corvus corax

Also known as: Western Raven, Northern Raven

General appearance

The common raven is a large bird, about the size of a heron or a mallard. Its size ranges between 53-69 cm. It has a black coloration throughout its body. Its wings are fingered, long and narrow. The tail is distinctive, having a wedge shape. The raven's throat feathers are shaggy and it has a very thick bill.

Male vs female

In terms of coloration, size, shape, and overall appearance, male and female common ravens are similar. They exhibit sexual monomorphism, which makes it difficult to distinguish between the sexes.

Juvenile

Juvenile common ravens are similar to adults. However, juveniles might have a slightly more slender appearance and lack the shagginess of the adult neck feathers. As they mature, they will gain this more robust appearance and the distinctive shaggy throat.

Size

22.8 - 27.2 in/24.3 - 57.3 oz

There's more to learn about Common Raven

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How to tell the Black-Billed Magpie from the Common Raven

Visual differences

The Black-Billed Magpie and Common Raven differ mainly in size, coloration, and key physical features. Magpies measure 17.5-22 inches long with distinct black bodies, green-blue glossy wings, large white wing patches, and long wedge-shaped tails. Ravens are larger at 21-27 inches with all-black plumage, shaggy throat feathers, and a wedge-shaped tail. Magpies have a smaller black bill, while ravens feature a much thicker bill. Ravens exhibit fingered wings, whereas magpies' wings can appear broad and rounded. These distinctions assist in visually identifying the two birds.

Key differences and behavior

The Black-Billed Magpie and Common Raven exhibit distinct behaviors that aid in their identification. Magpies are known for their mischievous nature, often forming loose colonies near open terrains, while ravens prefer solitary life in varied environments like forests and cliffs. Magpies conduct elaborate courtship displays, showcasing white wing patches, whereas ravens engage in aerial acrobatics during mating. Both species are omnivorous, but magpies utilize scent to locate food and are frequent bird feeder visitors, while ravens have a broader diet, scavenging widely. Magpies build large, globular nests collaboratively in low to moderate tree heights, while ravens construct bulkier nests on high cliffs or conifers, reusing sites annually.