Common Raven vs Black-billed Magpie
Corvus corax compared with Pica hudsonia
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Raven | Black-billed Magpie |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Corvus corax | Pica hudsonia |
| Order | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae | Corvidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 63.0 cm (24.8 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 130.0 cm (51.2 in) | 40.6 cm (16.0 in) |
| Weight | 1200.0 g (42.33 oz) | 176.75 g (6.23 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous and opportunistic — carrion, small animals, insects, eggs, grain, fruit, and human refuse. Among … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-8 | 1-9 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Common Raven only
Black-billed Magpie only
Common Raven
Diverse habitats from Arctic tundra to deserts, mountains, forests, and coastlines. Avoids dense urban areas but thrives near human activity.
Song & Call Comparison
Common Raven
Highly varied: deep resonant 'kraa-kraa-kraa', hollow 'tok-tok', liquid 'klonk', and wing-whooshing. Among the most intelligent corvid callers; uses calls contextually in groups.
Black-billed Magpie
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Raven
Holarctic distribution across North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The most widely distributed corvid.
Black-billed Magpie
Conservation Status
Common Raven
Black-billed Magpie
How to Tell Them Apart
Common Raven
All black with a glossy purplish-blue iridescent sheen. Shaggy throat hackles, long wedge-shaped tail, and large robust build distinguish it from crows.
Large, powerful, curved black bill
Black-billed Magpie
About These Birds
Common Raven
The common raven is among the most intelligent birds, demonstrating tool use, future planning, and social manipulation in scientific studies. In many cultures, ravens feature prominently in mythology as creators, tricksters, or messengers. Their complex vocalizations include over 30 distinct calls.
Black-billed Magpie
The Black-billed Magpie is a striking, long-tailed corvid of western North America, with bold black-and-white plumage and an iridescent blue-green sheen on the wings and tail. It inhabits open country with scattered trees, riparian woodlands, and suburban areas from Alaska south to California and east to the Great Plains. It is omnivorous, feeding on carrion, insects, fruits, seeds, and small vertebrates.