Ever stumbled upon a bird that looks just like a crow but isn’t? These feathered fakers are masters of disguise, blending into the crow crowd with their sleek black attire.
Join us on a wild adventure through the avian world, where the line between crows and their look-alikes gets as blurry as a crow in a coal mine. Get ready to meet striking black birds that might just make you do a double-take!
1. Common Raven
You might spot what you think is a crow, but the size gives this one away. Common Ravens are larger and have a croak that sounds like a wise old man.
Their intelligence is mind-blowing, using tools and problem-solving like brainy bird detectives. With wedge-shaped tails and shaggy throat feathers, these ravens love mountainous regions!
2. Little Raven
Despite its name, the Little Raven isn’t much smaller than its cousins, but its call is a dead giveaway – a longer, more melodious sound.
Found mainly in southern Australia, these ravens are less social but ever-curious. You’ll find them along coastlines and inland, poking around for anything interesting to eat.
3. Jackdaw
With striking silver eyes and a cheeky nature, Jackdaws are the smallest of the crow family. They thrive in towns and countryside, making homes in chimneys or abandoned buildings.
These birds are all about teamwork, often seen in small groups displaying playful antics. Their fondness for shiny objects might remind you of a magpie’s mischief!
4. Chihuahuan Raven
This raven prefers the arid life, thriving in deserts and open scrublands of the southwestern United States. It’s smaller than the Common Raven but has the same glossy black feathers that gleam in the sun.
Listen for its unique gurgling sound, reminiscent of water bubbling up from a hidden spring.
5. Rook
While it’s easy to confuse a Rook with a Carrion Crow, their faces tell the story.
Rooks sport a bare skin patch around their beaks, making them look like they’re always poking their noses into something interesting.
Social creatures, they nest in colonies and love playing aerial acrobatics over the English countryside.
6. Australian Raven
Down under, the Australian Raven makes its mark with its distinctive call, like someone blowing over a bottle’s top. Its throat hackles stand out, especially when calling.
These smart birds are often seen in urban areas, scavenging with the best of them. Their adaptability is key to their survival in diverse environments.
7. Boat-Tailed Grackle
With its long tail and sleek black feathers, this bird is often seen near water in marshes and wetlands. The Boat-Tailed Grackle is known for its loud, raspy calls echoing across its territory.
Highly social, they form large flocks and scavenge for food in urban and rural areas. Their bold behavior and striking appearance make them a memorable sight.
8. Common Grackle
The Common Grackle is a large, iridescent blackbird with striking golden eyes. Known for its loud, harsh calls, it often forages in large, noisy groups.
These birds are opportunistic feeders, scavenging in both urban and rural areas. Their glossy feathers and bold personality make them a distinctive and memorable presence in the wild.
9. Red-Winged Blackbird
With its vibrant red and yellow shoulder patches, the Red-Winged Blackbird is a striking sight in wetlands and marshes.
Known for its loud, musical call, this bird is highly territorial, often seen perched on cattails.
These blackbirds are social, typically found in large colonies during breeding season.
Their bold colors and dynamic behavior make them easily recognizable and fascinating to observe.
10. European Starling
The European Starling is a highly adaptable bird with iridescent black feathers and a sharp, pointed beak.
Known for their impressive vocal range, they mimic the calls of other birds and even mechanical sounds. Often seen in large flocks, these birds are notorious for their aggressive nature and competitive feeding habits.
Their social behavior and striking plumage make them a common and notable sight in urban and rural areas.
11. Brewer’s Blackbird
With its glossy black feathers and striking yellow eyes, this bird is often found in open fields and near human settlements. The Brewer’s Blackbird is known for its melodious, complex song and social behavior, typically seen in large flocks.
They are opportunistic feeders, often scavenging for food in urban and agricultural areas. Their distinctive appearance and lively nature make them a common yet captivating sight.
12. Pied Currawong
The Pied Currawong is a striking black bird native to Australia, often mistaken for a crow due to its dark plumage and size. With its bold, glossy black feathers and white markings on the wings and tail, it stands out in the Australian landscape.
Known for its distinctive, bell-like call, the Pied Currawong is highly social and often found in groups. Unlike crows, this bird has a more aggressive feeding behavior and is known to raid nests for eggs and chicks.