Crows and Ravens

listen:

Most of us are so used to seeing big black birds everywhere we go, we don't even notice them. But we should, for these commonplace residents are anything but common.

I'm talking about crows and ravens. Hi, I'm Iain Macleod from the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, bringing you Something Wild.

American crows and common ravens are found throughout New Hampshire. At first glance, they can be difficult to tell apart. But ravens are much bigger than crows, and have a call that is distinctly different. Here is the crow calling.

(crow calls)

Now listen to the raven:

(raven calls)

Ravens also have thicker bills, and web-shaped tails that can help you distinguish the two species.

Crow. Imageafter.com

The American crow has perhaps the highest intelligence and most complex social organization of any of our native birds. During the breeding season, they live in cooperative groups that consist of a breeding pair, two or three yearlings, and a couple of non-breeding adults that all work together to raise young. In the winter, crows join cooperative night roosts, and a single roost can contain hundreds or even thousands of birds.

Crows have always been abundant in New Hampshire. Not so the raven, which largely disappeared from the state in the 1800's, but has recently made a very successful comeback. They are forest dwellers and prefer to nest on cliffs or in tall pines. Ravens are omnivores, and will eat berries and garbage in addition to carrion and small prey. They also work together with coyotes to find food. Ravens will locate a large carcass and call, tipping off coyotes as to its location. Coyotes rip off the hide, allowing ravens access to the meet.

All in all, these very intelligent birds deserve more of our respect.

Something Wild is a joint production of the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Public Radio and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. For Something Wild, I'm Iain Macleod.