American Crow vs Common Blackbird
Corvus brachyrhynchos compared with Turdus merula
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | American Crow | Common Blackbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Corvus brachyrhynchos | Turdus merula |
| Order | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae | Turdidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 45.0 cm (17.7 in) | 25.0 cm (9.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 99.0 cm (39.0 in) | 36.0 cm (14.2 in) |
| Weight | 450.0 g (15.87 oz) | 100.0 g (3.53 oz) |
| Diet | Highly omnivorous — insects, earthworms, seeds, fruit, eggs, nestlings, carrion, and human food waste. Among … | Earthworms, insects, berries, and fruit. Forages on the ground, turning over leaf litter. Famously pulls … |
| Clutch Size | 3-7 | 3-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
American Crow
Extremely adaptable — found in farmland, open woodland, suburban neighborhoods, parking lots, and urban parks.
Common Blackbird
Woodland, hedgerows, gardens, and parks. One of the most common garden birds across Europe.
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.
Common Blackbird
Arguably Britain's finest songster: rich, flute-like phrases with deep, mellow quality. Sings persistently at dusk. Alarm is a sharp 'chook-chook'. Song includes liquid 'pew' notes.
Geographic Range & Migration
American Crow
North America from southern Canada through the United States to northern Mexico.
Common Blackbird
Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand. Northern populations are migratory.
Conservation Status
American Crow
Common Blackbird
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
Common Blackbird
Males are jet black with a bright yellow-orange bill and eye-ring. Females are dark brown with mottled underparts and a dull yellowish bill.
Bright yellow-orange bill in males, dull brownish in females
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.
Common Blackbird
The common blackbird is one of Europe's most familiar and best-loved songbirds, celebrated for its rich, fluting song delivered from rooftop and treetop perches at dawn and dusk. Originally a shy woodland bird, it has colonized urban environments over the past two centuries and become one of the most successful urban adapters.