Crows and Ravens ID Guide

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Live in Canberra, Sydney or Perth? This raven is the loudest and sounds like it’s finally understood your joke. Look out for its long shaggy throat feathers when it calls.

Live in Tasmania? This is the baritone. Look out for its rounded crown (head) and a massive bill.

Live in Melbourne or Adelaide? This bird’s call is lower in pitch and has a more regular rhythm than the Australian Raven. Look out for its short throat feathers.

Live in a dry and arid part of Australia? This bird’s call a short sharp, nasal and monotonous. Look out for its bill, which is shorter than the length of its head.

Live in Darwin or Brisbane? This bird’s call is usually more than three notes. Look out for its bill, which is longer in length than its head. It also has white down feathers at the base of its black feathers.

FAQs

  • A: Ravens usually have shaggy throat feathers and longer calls. Crows are often smaller and have shorter, nasal-sounding calls. They all belong to the ‘Corvid’ family.

  • A: Yes - Australia has five native species of crows and ravens.

  • A: In Perth, Sydney and Canberra, it’s usually the Australian Raven. In Melbourne and Adelaide, it’s usually the Little Raven. In Brisbane and Darwin, it’s usually the Torresian Crow.