American Crow vs Arctic Tern
Corvus brachyrhynchos compared with Sterna paradisaea
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | American Crow | Arctic Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Corvus brachyrhynchos | Sterna paradisaea |
| Order | Passeriformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Corvidae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 45.0 cm (17.7 in) | 34.0 cm (13.4 in) |
| Wingspan | 99.0 cm (39.0 in) | 80.0 cm (31.5 in) |
| Weight | 450.0 g (15.87 oz) | 110.0 g (3.88 oz) |
| Diet | Highly omnivorous — insects, earthworms, seeds, fruit, eggs, nestlings, carrion, and human food waste. Among … | Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. |
| Clutch Size | 3-7 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
American Crow
Extremely adaptable — found in farmland, open woodland, suburban neighborhoods, parking lots, and urban parks.
Arctic Tern
Breeds on coastal and tundra habitats. Spends most of its life at sea over the open ocean. Nests in colonies on beaches and rocky shores.
Song & Call Comparison
American Crow
Classic 'caw-caw-caw' repeated in series. Family groups use distinct dialects. Also gives rattling, knocking, and a short 'cah' flight call. Highly social and vocal.
Arctic Tern
A sharp, grating 'kree-yah' alarm call. Also gives 'kik-kik-kik' near the nest. Highly aggressive vocally during the Arctic breeding season. Calls are harsh and insistent.
Geographic Range & Migration
American Crow
North America from southern Canada through the United States to northern Mexico.
Arctic Tern
Breeds in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. Migrates to the Antarctic, experiencing two summers per year. Found on every ocean.
Conservation Status
American Crow
Arctic Tern
How to Tell Them Apart
American Crow
All black with a slight glossy sheen. Squared-off tail and smooth throat distinguish it from the common raven.
Straight, sturdy black bill smaller than a raven's
Arctic Tern
Pale grey upperparts, white underparts with a black cap. Blood-red bill and short red legs. Deeply forked tail streamers. Winter adults lose the full black cap.
Slender, pointed, bright red bill
About These Birds
American Crow
The American crow is one of North America's most familiar and intelligent birds. Research has shown they can recognize individual human faces and communicate perceived threats to other crows. They form large winter roosts of up to hundreds of thousands of individuals in some cities.
Arctic Tern
The Arctic tern holds the record for the longest known migration of any animal, traveling roughly 70,000 km annually from Arctic to Antarctic and back. Over its 30-year lifespan, it may fly the equivalent of three round trips to the Moon. This remarkable bird experiences more daylight than any other creature on Earth.