American Crow vs Barn Swallow
Corvus brachyrhynchos compared with Hirundo rustica
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | American Crow | Barn Swallow |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Corvus brachyrhynchos | Hirundo rustica |
| Order | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae | Hirundinidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 45.0 cm (17.7 in) | 19.0 cm (7.5 in) |
| Wingspan | 99.0 cm (39.0 in) | 33.0 cm (13.0 in) |
| Weight | 450.0 g (15.87 oz) | 19.0 g (0.67 oz) |
| Diet | Highly omnivorous — insects, earthworms, seeds, fruit, eggs, nestlings, carrion, and human food waste. Among … | Aerial insects caught in continuous agile flight, including flies, beetles, moths, and aphids. Drinks by … |
| Clutch Size | 3-7 | 2-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
American Crow
Extremely adaptable — found in farmland, open woodland, suburban neighborhoods, parking lots, and urban parks.
Barn Swallow
Open farmland, meadows, and areas near water. Nests almost exclusively in human-made structures such as barns, bridges, and eaves.
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.
Barn Swallow
A rapid, twittering song: a long stream of 'vit-vit-vit' and rolling chirps. Also gives a sharp 'vit' flight call. Song can last many minutes without pause. Musical and liquid.
Geographic Range & Migration
American Crow
North America from southern Canada through the United States to northern Mexico.
Barn Swallow
Breeds across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Winters in South America, Africa, and South Asia.
Conservation Status
American Crow
Barn Swallow
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
Barn Swallow
Metallic blue-black upperparts, rufous forehead and throat, and pale buff to rufous underparts. Deeply forked tail with elongated outer streamers.
Short, wide, flat black bill adapted for catching insects in flight
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.
Barn Swallow
The barn swallow is the most widespread swallow species in the world and has one of the longest migrations of any passerine. Its arrival signals spring across the Northern Hemisphere, inspiring cultural references from ancient Greece to modern poetry. Barn swallows have become almost entirely dependent on human structures for nesting.