Comparison · Field Guide · UK / Europe
Raven vs Carrion Crow
[science] Fastest marks: tail (wedge vs fan), size (raven ~twice the weight), voice (raven croaks, crow caws). Ravens also have shaggy throat hackles and a heavier bill. In upland or coastal UK, if it soars and tumbles, it is likely a raven.
Side-by-Side Measurements
| Feature | Common Raven Corvus corax | Carrion Crow Corvus corone |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 56–69 cm | 44–51 cm |
| Wingspan | 120–150 cm | 93–104 cm |
| Weight | 689–1,625 g | 370–650 g |
| Tail | Wedge / diamond | Fan / rounded |
| Bill | Heavy, arched, deep base | Moderate, slightly curved |
| Throat | Shaggy hackles | Smooth |
| Voice | Deep croak "kronk" | Harsh "kaah/caw" |
| Flight | Soars; plays aerially | Direct flapping; occasional soar |
| UK habitat | Upland, coast, moorland, mountain | Farmland, parks, suburbs, woodland edges |
Source: Madge & Burn (1994).1
Key Tips for UK Observers
- If you are in upland Wales, Scotland, or coastal cliffs — ravens are very likely; look for the wedge tail and large size.
- If you are in a lowland English city or garden — it is almost certainly a Carrion Crow. Ravens have only recently begun breeding in lowland England again.
- Flight style is very helpful: ravens frequently soar on thermals and play — rolling, tumbling, chasing in pairs. Carrion Crows do not play aerially in the same way.
- Sound first: a deep hollow "kronk" identifies a raven at a distance before you see the tail.
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tell a raven from a Carrion Crow in the UK?
Check the tail first: wedge-shaped on a raven, fan-shaped on a Carrion Crow. Then size: ravens are noticeably larger — roughly Buzzard-sized. Voice: ravens croak ("kronk"), Carrion Crows caw. Habitat context also helps: ravens prefer upland, wild, coastal areas; Carrion Crows are common in lowland farmland, parks, and cities.
Are ravens and Carrion Crows found in the same places in the UK?
Their ranges overlap in upland areas of Wales, Scotland, northern England, and Ireland. In lowland England, Carrion Crows are common but ravens are still expanding their range from upland strongholds. In a city or suburban area, a large black corvid is almost certainly a Carrion Crow, not a raven.
Sources
- Madge, S. & Burn, H. (1994). Crows and Jays. Christopher Helm. — all measurements and field marks.
[science] field-guide data