Ravens and crows are similar in appearance. Two major differences are overall size and bill size. Ravens are much larger and have a long, heavy bill, while crows are considerably smaller and have a smaller, shorter bill. Also, ravens are often solitary, while crows are gregarious.
Two species of raven occur in the continental United States, the common or northern raven (Corvus corax) and the Chihuahuan or white-necked raven (Corvus cryptoleucus). The common raven is found from the foothills of the Rockies westward, northward to Alaska, and eastward across Canada, and in some of the northeastern U.S. states, and locally in the Appalachian mountains. Common ravens can be distinguished from crows by their larger size (53-inch wingspan and 24-inch length), call, wedge-shaped tail, and flight pattern that commonly includes soaring or gliding. In contrast, crows (30- to 39-inch wingspan and 14- to 18-inch length) have a frequent, steady wing-beat with little or no gliding.
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