Common Raven vs Wandering Albatross
Corvus corax compared with Diomedea exulans
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Raven | Wandering Albatross |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Corvus corax | Diomedea exulans |
| Order | Passeriformes | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Corvidae | Diomedeidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | 63.0 cm (24.8 in) | 117.0 cm (46.1 in) |
| Wingspan | 130.0 cm (51.2 in) | 320.0 cm (126.0 in) |
| Weight | 1200.0 g (42.33 oz) | 9000.0 g (317.47 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous and opportunistic — carrion, small animals, insects, eggs, grain, fruit, and human refuse. Among … | Squid, fish, and crustaceans caught from the ocean surface, often at night. Follows fishing vessels … |
| Clutch Size | 1-8 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Common Raven only
Wandering Albatross only
Common Raven
Diverse habitats from Arctic tundra to deserts, mountains, forests, and coastlines. Avoids dense urban areas but thrives near human activity.
Wandering Albatross
Open ocean of the Southern Hemisphere. Breeds on remote sub-Antarctic islands. Spends years at sea between breeding attempts.
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.
Wandering Albatross
At nesting colonies emits a loud braying 'waaah' and guttural grunts. Silent at sea for most of the year. Courtship involves ritualized mutual bill-clapping and moaning calls.
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Raven
Holarctic distribution across North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The most widely distributed corvid.
Wandering Albatross
Southern Ocean circumpolar, breeding on South Georgia, Crozet, Kerguelen, and other sub-Antarctic islands.
Conservation Status
Common Raven
Wandering Albatross
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
Wandering Albatross
Adults are mostly white with black trailing edges to the wings. Juveniles are chocolate brown, whitening progressively over 5-10 years. Pink bill and pale feet.
Very large pink bill with a hooked tip and visible tubular nostrils
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.
Wandering Albatross
The wandering albatross has the largest wingspan of any living bird, reaching up to 3.5 meters. These oceanic nomads can circumnavigate the globe, covering over 120,000 km per year using dynamic soaring with minimal wing flapping. Pairs mate for life and may live over 60 years.