08/14/2026
Fun Fact Friday! Raven or crow??? Can you tell the difference?
Did you know theyโre both smart, curious, and common sights here in the Canadian Rockies, but ravens and crows are actually quite different!
๐ค Ravens are BIGGER! Ravens are about the size of a hawk, while crows are closer to the size of a robin or small hawk.
๐ชถ Look at the tail! A ravenโs tail is wedge-shaped when it spreads its wings, while a crowโs is more rounded.
๐ Check the beak. Ravens have a larger, heavier, more curved beak. They also have shaggy throat feathers that give them a slightly scruffy look.
๐ถ Listen to the calls! Crows have the familiar โcaw,โ while ravens make a much deeper, croaking or grumbling sound, in fact, they have a pretty impressive variety of calls! (Do you remember the movie Predator?)
๐ง Both are incredibly intelligent. Ravens and crows belong to the corvid family, which includes some of the smartest birds in the world. They can solve problems, remember individuals, use tools, and learn from experience.
๐๏ธ Here in the Rockies, youโre especially likely to spot ravens. Theyโre perfectly adapted to our mountainous landscape and are often seen soaring over valleys, roads and cliffs.
So next time you see a big black bird soaring over The Lodges, see if you can identify it as a raven or a crow.
๐Now take a close look at our photo and comment below if you think it's a raven or a crow!
LodgesofCanmore.ca
