Australian Crow or Common Blackbird?
Here's how to tell the difference
Australian Crow
Common Blackbird
Australian Crow
Corvus
General appearance
Australian crows are large, robust birds, often mistaken for ravens due to their pitch-black feathers which display a slightly glossy sheen. White patches of feathers are rare but can occur. They have solid muscular legs and stout black beaks.
Male vs female
There is little sexual dimorphism in the Australian crow species making it hard to differentiate between males and females. Size tends not to be a reliable indicator of sex, as both are generally of similar size. However, vocalizations can be a good hint since females generally have higher-pitched calls than males.
Juvenile
Juvenile Australian crows resemble adults in their dark feather coloration yet are slightly smaller in size. Their eyes gradually change color from blue or grey in fledglings to the adult crow's characteristic white as they mature.
Size
16.9 - 21.3 in/9.9 - 28.9 oz
There's more to learn about Australian Crow
View full detailsCommon Blackbird
Turdus merula
Also known as: Eurasian Blackbird
General appearance
The common blackbird is medium-sized, measuring approximately 23-29 cm in length. They have slender bodies, long tails, and are known for their distinctive melodious songs. Their eyes are highlighted with a bright yellow ring, and they possess a sharp, pointed beak.
Male vs female
Males are predominantly jet black with a vivid orange-yellow beak, contributing to their striking appearance. Females, however, are brown with streaky plumage and a duller beak, serving as a form of camouflage during nesting. Both exhibit the characteristic yellow eye-ring, though it's more prominent in males.
Juvenile
Juvenile blackbirds have brownish plumage, often with speckled or mottled patterns, aiding in their camouflage. Unlike adults, they lack a yellow eye-ring and their beak is darker. As they mature, they'll gradually attain adult coloration. Observing them in woodlands or gardens, particularly in spring and summer, is easier when they are most active.
Size
9.3 - 11.4 in/3.0 - 4.8 oz
There's more to learn about Common Blackbird
View full detailsHow to tell the Australian Crow from the Common Blackbird
Visual differences
The Australian Crow is larger, measuring about 17-21 inches and weighing 10-29 ounces, with solid black glossy plumage, stout legs, and a strong black beak. In contrast, the Common Blackbird is smaller, at 9-11 inches and 3-5 ounces, with males having jet-black feathers and an orange-yellow beak, while females are brown with streaked plumage and a duller beak. Blackbirds have a yellow eye-ring, more prominent in males. Juvenile crows are fully dark while juvenile blackbirds have mottled brown plumage.
Key differences and behavior
The Australian Crow and Common Blackbird exhibit distinct behavioral differences. Australian Crows are larger and more social, often seen in groups, while Blackbirds prefer solitary or paired settings. Crows inhabit diverse environments, from woodlands to deserts, whereas Blackbirds favor temperate woodlands and gardens. In diet, Crows display adaptability, scavenging on a wide range of foods, whereas Blackbirds predominantly forage for worms and insects on the ground. In breeding, Crows engage in elaborate courtship and both parents feed the young over 30 days, unlike Blackbirds, which rely on singing males and incubate eggs for shorter periods, with chicks fledging in about 14 days. Crows are known for their intelligence and sociability, whereas Blackbirds are celebrated for their melodious song. Both species are adaptable to urban settings, but Crows are less frequent at feeders due to their size and dietary preferences.
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