Common Raven vs Snowy Owl
Corvus corax compared with Bubo scandiacus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Raven | Snowy Owl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Corvus corax | Bubo scandiacus |
| Order | Passeriformes | Strigiformes |
| Family | Corvidae | Strigidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | 63.0 cm (24.8 in) | 63.0 cm (24.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 130.0 cm (51.2 in) | 145.0 cm (57.1 in) |
| Weight | 1200.0 g (42.33 oz) | 2100.0 g (74.08 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous and opportunistic — carrion, small animals, insects, eggs, grain, fruit, and human refuse. Among … | Primarily lemmings on the breeding grounds, where a pair may consume over 1,500 per year. … |
| Clutch Size | 1-8 | 3-14 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Snowy Owl only
Common Raven
Diverse habitats from Arctic tundra to deserts, mountains, forests, and coastlines. Avoids dense urban areas but thrives near human activity.
Snowy Owl
Arctic tundra for breeding. Winters in open habitats resembling tundra, including prairies, airports, shorelines, and agricultural fields.
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.
Snowy Owl
Male gives a deep booming hoot 'hooooo' and a rising 'hoo-hoo' series. Also barks sharply when alarmed. Quieter than many owls; silent during long Arctic winter hunts.
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Raven
Holarctic distribution across North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The most widely distributed corvid.
Snowy Owl
Circumpolar Arctic for breeding. Irruptive winter movements bring birds south to the northern United States, Europe, and Asia.
Conservation Status
Common Raven
Snowy Owl
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
Snowy Owl
Adult males are almost entirely white. Females and immatures have dark brown barring and spotting. Yellow eyes and fully feathered feet.
Dark hooked bill mostly hidden by dense facial feathering
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.
Snowy Owl
The snowy owl is the heaviest North American owl and one of the most charismatic Arctic birds. Unlike most owls, it is largely diurnal, necessitated by the continuous daylight of Arctic summers. Snowy owl irruptions — periodic mass southward movements — are tied to lemming population cycles.