Chihuahuan Raven vs Common Raven

Chihuahuan Raven

Corvus cryptoleucus

Also known as: White-Necked Raven

How to recognise a Chihuahuan raven?

General appearance

The Chihuahuan raven is a bird that resembles the common raven but is slightly smaller in size, measuring between 19-21 inches or 48-53 cm. It has a smaller bill and a distinct voice. Its coloration is black and white. The wings of this raven are fingered and long while its tail is wedge-shaped. Its usual habitat is open grassland contrasting common ravens found in mountains or dry cactus deserts.

Male vs female

The Chihuahuan raven exhibits sexual monomorphism, meaning males and females have similar appearances. There is no significant difference in size, coloration, or body shape between males and females. Identifying the gender based on physical traits is challenging for this species.

Juvenile

Juvenile Chihuahuan ravens resemble adults but may have slightly lighter coloration. Their beaks may also be less robust, and they might lack the full fingered wing and wedge-shaped tail characteristic of adults. As they mature, they develop the distinctive adult features.

Size

18.1 - 20.9 in/13.4 - 23.6 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Chihuahuan raven primarily inhabits arid and semi-arid grasslands, scrub, and yucca flats, mostly avoiding wooded areas and true deserts.

Additional range

This raven is also found in brushy lowland areas. However, unlike the Common Raven, it is rarely found in grasslands.

Range Map

What do Chihuahuan ravens like to eat?

Natural diet

The Chihuahuan raven is omnivorous, with a diet predominantly consisting of animal matter. It consumes large insects, spiders, earthworms, snails, rodents, lizards, and the eggs and young of other birds. It is also known to eat carrion and garbage. Additionally, the raven feeds on various plant-based foods, including grains, seeds, berries, fruits, and cactus fruit.

Bird feeders

Chihuahuan ravens may occasionally visit bird feeders, particularly those offering seeds, grains, or fruit. However, they primarily rely on their natural food sources in the wild.

What does a Chihuahuan raven sound like?

The Chihuahuan raven has a harsh, raucous vocalization, characterized by high-pitched kraak sounds, distinguishably higher than those typically made by the Common Raven. Its call pattern is simple and flat, mostly resonating croak or quack like sounds rather than complex melodies or tones. The overall sound quality of its calls is striking and conspicuous.

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Call

Audio by Richard E. Webster

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

There's more to learn about Chihuahuan Raven

View full details

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

There's more to learn about Common Raven

View full details

Chihuahuan Raven

Tap To compare

Common Raven

Chihuahuan Raven

Corvus cryptoleucus

Also known as: White-Necked Raven

General appearance

The Chihuahuan raven is a bird that resembles the common raven but is slightly smaller in size, measuring between 19-21 inches or 48-53 cm. It has a smaller bill and a distinct voice. Its coloration is black and white. The wings of this raven are fingered and long while its tail is wedge-shaped. Its usual habitat is open grassland contrasting common ravens found in mountains or dry cactus deserts.

Male vs female

The Chihuahuan raven exhibits sexual monomorphism, meaning males and females have similar appearances. There is no significant difference in size, coloration, or body shape between males and females. Identifying the gender based on physical traits is challenging for this species.

Juvenile

Juvenile Chihuahuan ravens resemble adults but may have slightly lighter coloration. Their beaks may also be less robust, and they might lack the full fingered wing and wedge-shaped tail characteristic of adults. As they mature, they develop the distinctive adult features.

Size

18.1 - 20.9 in/13.4 - 23.6 oz

There's more to learn about Chihuahuan Raven

View full details

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

View full details

How to tell the Chihuahuan Raven from the Common Raven

Visual differences

The Chihuahuan Raven is smaller, measuring 19-21 inches versus the Common Raven's 21-27 inches. Both are black, but the Chihuahuan Raven has a smaller bill, and its tail is wedge-shaped. Common Ravens have a thicker bill, distinctive shaggy throat feathers, and also a wedge-shaped tail. The key visual trait is the thicker bill and throat feathers on the Common Raven, setting it apart from the sleeker Chihuahuan.

Key differences and behavior

The Chihuahuan Raven and Common Raven exhibit distinct behavioral differences. Chihuahuan Ravens prefer arid grasslands with nests often on human-made structures, occasionally forming loose colonies. They reuse nests, possibly alternately, highlighting adaptability. Common Ravens, larger and heavier, thrive in diverse habitats including forests, tundra, and deserts. Their courtship involves soaring displays, and they frequently nest on cliffs or tall trees, reusing sites annually. Both species are omnivorous, consuming insects, rodents, and carrion; however, Chihuahuan Ravens are more inclined to eat plant-based food. Common Ravens are more acrobatic in flight and skilled mimics, showcasing advanced problem-solving behavior.

Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!

Chihuahuan Raven vs American Crow

Chihuahuan Raven

American Crow

Learn the difference

Common Raven vs American Crow

Common Raven

American Crow

Learn the difference

Chihuahuan Raven or Common Raven?

Chihuahuan Raven

How to recognise a Chihuahuan raven?

Habitat

What do Chihuahuan ravens like to eat?

What does a Chihuahuan raven sound like?

Call

Call

There's more to learn about Chihuahuan Raven

Common Raven

How to recognise a common raven?

Habitat

What do common ravens like to eat?

What does a common raven sound like?

Call

There's more to learn about Common Raven

Chihuahuan Raven

There's more to learn about Chihuahuan Raven

Common Raven

There's more to learn about Common Raven

How to tell the Chihuahuan Raven from the Common Raven

Visual differences

Key differences and behavior

Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!

Chihuahuan Raven vs American Crow

Chihuahuan Raven

American Crow

Common Raven vs American Crow

Common Raven

American Crow

Chihuahuan Raven vs [Select a bird]

Chihuahuan Raven

[Select a bird]

Common Raven vs [Select a bird]

Common Raven

[Select a bird]