American Crow vs Bald Eagle
Corvus brachyrhynchos compared with Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | American Crow | Bald Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Corvus brachyrhynchos | Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
| Order | Passeriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Corvidae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 45.0 cm (17.7 in) | 79.0 cm (31.1 in) |
| Wingspan | 99.0 cm (39.0 in) | 203.0 cm (79.9 in) |
| Weight | 450.0 g (15.87 oz) | 4300.0 g (151.68 oz) |
| Diet | Highly omnivorous — insects, earthworms, seeds, fruit, eggs, nestlings, carrion, and human food waste. Among … | Primarily fish, also waterfowl, small mammals, and carrion. Hunts by swooping down to snatch fish … |
| Clutch Size | 3-7 | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
American Crow
Extremely adaptable — found in farmland, open woodland, suburban neighborhoods, parking lots, and urban parks.
Bald Eagle
Large bodies of open water including coasts, rivers, and lakes with abundant fish and old-growth trees for nesting.
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.
Bald Eagle
High-pitched, chattering whistle: a rapid 'kleek-kik-ik-ik-ik'. Surprisingly weak and thin for such a large raptor. Also gives a lower 'kwit-kwit' call near the nest.
Geographic Range & Migration
American Crow
North America from southern Canada through the United States to northern Mexico.
Bald Eagle
North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.
Conservation Status
American Crow
Bald Eagle
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
Bald Eagle
Adults have a dark brown body with a striking white head and tail. Juveniles are mottled brown and white, reaching full adult plumage at age five.
Large, hooked, bright yellow 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.
Bald Eagle
The bald eagle is the national bird and symbol of the United States. Once endangered due to DDT pesticide use, it made a remarkable recovery and was removed from the endangered species list in 2007. These powerful raptors build the largest tree nests of any bird, some weighing over two tons.