The Corvid family includes jays, magpies, crows, and ravens, all recognized for their intelligence and adaptability. In the northeastern United States, spotting a large black bird often raises the question of whether it is a crow or a raven. Because these two species look similar and share geography, misidentification is common where their ranges overlap. Determining the true identity of these birds requires observing specific features beyond a simple black silhouette.
The Presence of Ravens on Long Island
The Common Raven, while historically absent from much of the New York City and Long Island area, has been making a strong comeback in recent decades across the Northeast. Long Island has seen a slow but steady expansion of the raven’s range, particularly in the less developed eastern sections. They are no longer considered merely rare visitors but are establishing themselves as localized residents in specific areas.
Breeding pairs have been documented in parts of the eastern end, including areas around Hampton Bays and Sag Harbor, often utilizing large, man-made structures like water towers for nesting sites. This shift means that sightings of the massive, deep-croaking bird are increasingly possible in regions like the Pine Barrens and the outer reaches of the North and South Forks. The raven’s presence on Long Island is a direct result of their successful regional population recovery.
Key Differences Between Ravens and Crows
Telling a Common Raven (Corvus corax) from an American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) requires observing physical and behavioral markers. The most noticeable difference is size; the raven is significantly larger, comparable to a Red-tailed Hawk, while the crow is smaller. A raven’s bill is also noticeably heavier, thicker, and more curved than the crow’s slimmer, straighter beak.
When the bird is perched, look for the shaggy throat feathers, known as hackles, which give the raven’s neck a rough, unkempt appearance. In contrast, a crow’s neck feathers are sleek and lie flat against the body. These hackles are a reliable diagnostic feature.
In flight, the tail shape provides the most conclusive evidence for identification. When a raven spreads its tail, the longer central feathers create a distinct wedge or diamond shape. Conversely, the crow’s tail feathers are all nearly the same length, resulting in a rounded, fan-shaped appearance when fully open.
The style of flight is also distinct: ravens frequently soar and glide on thermal updrafts, often holding their wings straight and level. Crows rely more on constant, steady flapping, rarely soaring for more than a few seconds. Finally, the birds’ calls are completely different: the crow has the familiar, higher-pitched, harsh “caw,” while the raven produces a deeper, guttural croak or resonant cruk-cruk sound.
The Dominant Local Corvid Species
The vast majority of the large black birds seen across Long Island are American Crows and Fish Crows, which are both abundant and highly adaptable to human environments. The American Crow is found everywhere, from dense suburban neighborhoods to agricultural fields and coastal areas. They are highly social, often gathering in large communal roosts, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, especially during the winter months.
The Fish Crow is the other common species, often misidentified as an American Crow due to the visual similarities. This species is slightly smaller and possesses a more nasal, higher-pitched call, often described as a short, two-note uh-uh or cah-cah, sounding quite distinct from the American Crow’s robust caw. Fish Crows are more strongly associated with aquatic habitats, frequently seen along beaches, estuaries, and riverbanks.
Their ability to thrive in urban and suburban landscapes explains their high local population density. Given their sheer numbers and ubiquity across the entire island, it is most likely that any sighting of a large black bird is one of these two crow species, unless the specific identifying features of a raven are confirmed.