American Crow vs Great Cormorant
Corvus brachyrhynchos comparé à Phalacrocorax carbo
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | American Crow | Great Cormorant |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Corvus brachyrhynchos | Phalacrocorax carbo |
| Ordre | Passeriformes | Suliformes |
| Famille | Corvidae | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | 45,0 cm (17.7 in) | 90,0 cm (35.4 in) |
| Envergure | 99,0 cm (39.0 in) | 145,0 cm (57.1 in) |
| Poids | 450,0 g (15.87 oz) | 2600,0 g (91.71 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Highly omnivorous — insects, earthworms, seeds, fruit, eggs, nestlings, carrion, and human food waste. Among … | Fish caught by diving from the surface. Pursues prey underwater using powerful feet for propulsion. … |
| Taille de la couvée | 3-7 | 1-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
American Crow
Extremely adaptable — found in farmland, open woodland, suburban neighborhoods, parking lots, and urban parks.
Great Cormorant
Coasts, estuaries, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Nests in colonies in trees, on cliffs, or on the ground.
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.
Great Cormorant
Deep, guttural grunts and 'karrr' calls at colonies. Bill-clicking and hissing in threat displays. Silent at sea. Colonial noise can be deafening during the breeding season.
Geographic Range & Migration
American Crow
North America from southern Canada through the United States to northern Mexico.
Great Cormorant
Very wide range across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. One of the most widespread cormorant species.
Statut de conservation
American Crow
Great Cormorant
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
Great Cormorant
All black with a bronze-green gloss. White throat patch and white thigh patches in breeding season. Yellow-orange face patch around the bill base.
Long, hooked, dark bill with a yellow gape
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.
Great Cormorant
The great cormorant is one of the most widespread seabirds in the world. Unlike most waterbirds, cormorants lack fully waterproof plumage, leading to the iconic pose of standing with wings spread open to dry. In Asia, cormorants have been used by fishermen to catch fish for over a thousand years.