Crows account for an entire family of birds, Corvidae, that includes the raven species. That is, all ravens are crows, but crows can be ravens, jays, or magpies. The issue gets a little confusing because of how people typically use the terms; many commonly refer to ravens and crows as species, both in the genus Corvus. While these two blackbirds have many similarities, there are differences in their appearance, behavior, and habitat.

If you are birdwatching, it's easy to recognize differences between a raven and a crow to help identify the bird you spotted. The easiest thing to note is their size. A raven, such as the North American Corvus corax, is larger than a crow. Ravens average 25" tall (64 cm) with a 4 foot (122 cm) wing span, about the size of a hawk, while crows are around 18" (46 cm) tall and their wings span 3 feet (91 cm), similar to a dove. The beak of a crow might look slightly thicker than that of a raven.

Secondly, you can note their particular color. Both are black, but a crow's feathers are a plain, flinty black, and can even have lighter markings. A raven's feathers shine with a blue or purple tint when the sun hits them. Crows can fluff their feathers into a mane to show off, while a raven's individual feathers are larger and pointier. Finally, if you see the bird with its tail spread, a crow's tail curves evenly like a seashell while the tail of a raven meets at a triangular point.

One of their most interesting differences is in their vocalizations. If you have dissuaded birds from hanging around by propping up clothing stuffed with straw, you know how annoying and repetitive the caws of a crow sound. However, a raven's voice varies, able to imitate other birds and animals. You might call a raven's call hoarser and less refined than a crow's, but it isn't as irritating.

You can't immediately detect other differences between a raven and a crow. Crows are tolerant of noisy, populated areas with people and other animals. This gives them their reputation for harassing the cornfields of farmers, since they like scavenging seeds, fruits, and vegetables in groups. Ravens like privacy in their solitary hunt for insects, fruits, and carrion, so they're more likely to be found in remote woods, meadows, and hills. A raven often lives 30 years, while a crow only has an 8-year average lifespan.