American Crow vs Mute Swan
Corvus brachyrhynchos compared with Cygnus olor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | American Crow | Mute Swan |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Corvus brachyrhynchos | Cygnus olor |
| Order | Passeriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Corvidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 45.0 cm (17.7 in) | 152.0 cm (59.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 99.0 cm (39.0 in) | 235.0 cm (92.5 in) |
| Weight | 450.0 g (15.87 oz) | 11000.0 g (388.01 oz) |
| Diet | Highly omnivorous — insects, earthworms, seeds, fruit, eggs, nestlings, carrion, and human food waste. Among … | Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of … |
| Clutch Size | 3-7 | 5-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
American Crow
Extremely adaptable — found in farmland, open woodland, suburban neighborhoods, parking lots, and urban parks.
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in 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.
Mute Swan
Despite its name, not truly mute: gives hissing snorts and low grunting when threatened. Wings produce a loud rhythmic whistling throbbing sound in flight.
Geographic Range & Migration
American Crow
North America from southern Canada through the United States to northern Mexico.
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
American Crow
Mute Swan
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
Mute Swan
All-white plumage in adults. Cygnets are grey-brown, gradually whitening over the first year. Graceful S-curved neck posture is distinctive.
Orange bill with a prominent black knob at the base, larger in males
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.
Mute Swan
The mute swan is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males weighing up to 14 kg. Despite its name, it is not truly mute, producing hissing, grunting, and snorting sounds. Mute swans form lifelong pair bonds and their aggressive defense of nesting territory is well known.