July 13, 2024, 9:23 am | Read time: 5 minutes
From the magpie in the garden at home to the mystical raven in the woods – corvids are fascinating and intelligent animals. But how can you tell whether a bird is a raven or a crow? How does the “language” of the different species differ? And how do jackdaws behave compared to magpies? PETBOOK asked an expert and provides insights into the world of these interesting birds.
Members of the corvid family are renowned for their exceptional intelligence and adaptability. They find their way around both in the secluded silence of large forests and in the hustle and bustle of our cities. One might wonder, what exactly is it about corvids that captivates human interest? “Corvids learn quickly and use tools purposefully,” explains Angelika Nelson, an ornithologist at the Landesbund für Vogel- und Naturschutz in Bayern e. V. (LBV) when asked by PETBOOK.
Raven, Jackdaw, Crow, Magpie: Understanding the Distinctions
There are many different ravens and crows around the world, which differ in terms of their size, song, habitat and behavior. Ornithologist Angelika Nelson from the LBV says: “Within the family Corvidae, in the systematics of birds, ravens and crows belong to the common genus Corvus with 42 species worldwide.
Typically, the larger birds in this family are called ‘ravens’, while the smaller ones are known as ‘crows’. In Germany, the raven is the largest corvid, the jackdaw the smallest.” The black-and-white magpie, as well as the vibrantly colored jay, are both members of the corvid family, yet they belong to a distinct genus known as ‘Pica’. Visually, you can recognize or distinguish the most common species by the following characteristics: XXX
Raven, crow and magpie prefer different habitats
The specific habitat where one encounters these birds can provide clues as to whether they are ravens or crows since each species has a preferred environment.
There are also regional differences in the distribution of the animals. Nelson says: “In Bavaria, crows, rooks, jackdaws and ravens from the genus Corvus are found. The Hooded Crow, a species very closely related to the Raven and even grouped together with it as the ‘Carrion Crow’, is also found in some eastern parts of Bavaria.”
How to recognize ravens, jackdaws or magpies by their song
Like blackbirds and tits, corvids also belong to the group of songbirds. Each species of corvid has its own communication style. This it uses to communicate with its partner or other birds in the group. This allows bird enthusiasts to easily distinguish between different species.
Angelika Nelson has compiled typical sounds that make it possible to tell the species apart:
Are corvids intelligent?
The belief that corvids are intelligent is widespread. This is also due to videos on social networks that show how the animals perform complex tasks, for example. Angelika Nelson also confirms that corvids are indeed intelligent. “Corvids learn quickly, use tools purposefully and try out new things. There are numerous scientific studies that show that corvids are inventive. Especially when it comes to getting food,” says the expert. For example, they drop walnuts from a great height onto the road to crack them.
However, the animals are not only intelligent but also social. This means that they are often found in groups and interact with each other. For example, using a varied repertoire of sounds.
In addition, corvids react differently to “friend” and “foe”. Ornithologist Angelika Nelson explains: “As social birds, they need to know other individuals and their relationships with each other.”
Corvids and humans
However, corvids have a different relationship with humans. Angelika Nelson explains: “Corvids only interact with humans to a limited extent if they live in the same habitat – i.e. in settlements or on agricultural land. However, there can also be exceptions or cases in which corvids interact with humans.”
In their habitat, “they mainly look for food, as they have discovered humans and the environment we have created as an indirect source of food. They have quickly learned to clean out garbage cans in the city because they are omnivores,” says expert Nelson.
Why there are more and more ravens and crows in cities
The habitats and behaviors of corvids are as diverse as the species themselves. The raven, for example, comes close to settlements in search of food. According to bird expert Angelika Nelson, the jackdaw, which is native to towns and villages, nests “as a cavity-nesting bird and cultural successor in building recesses and holes in walls, church towers, roof trusses and chimneys.”
The magpie, which originally lived mainly in the open agricultural landscape, has also shifted its habitat from the agricultural landscape to residential areas. “However, these birds are often unwelcome in such areas,” notes bird expert Angelika Nelson. The reason: “Magpies are noisy and their diet also includes the eggs and young of other songbirds – a natural food source that is often found in high densities, especially in residential areas.”
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Can you chase away ravens or crows?
In addition to magpies, other species of corvids are also increasingly looking for new habitats in residential areas. According to Angelika Nelson, this is because there are fewer and fewer hedges, trees and short-grass pastures for foraging. It is, therefore, particularly important that the animals’ remaining habitats are preserved. To be more precise: that the animals continue to find food, breeding grounds and hiding places.
The expert says: “It is essential to recognize corvids as integral components of a healthy ecosystem and refrain from disturbing them through harassment or hunting, practices that are forbidden under the Nature Conservation Act. Corvids, along with all European bird species, are afforded general protection by the EU Birds Directive and special protection under the Federal Nature Conservation Act. However, carrion crows, magpies and jays may be hunted at certain times of the year in Germany and Bavaria.”