Carrion Crow vs Hooded Crow: How to Tell Them Apart

Adult Carrion Crows are black, and can have a slightly blue iridescence. Bill and legs are black, also. Marginally bigger than Rooks, and somewhat smaller that Ravens. Carrion Crows may breed with Hooded Crows, resulting in offspring with markings from both or either species. Juveniles have a brown tinge to their plumage.

Habitat of the Carrion Crow is varied, including agricultural land, fields, woods, and cliffs by the seaside. Is fairly widespread through England and Wales, but in Scotland, there is a specific line through the Firth of Clyde to the Dornoch Firth, and Carrion Crows usually reside to the south and east of this line. To the north and west of the line is the Hooded Crow's territory, with some interbreeding occurring in proximity to the imaginary divider.

Has an abrasive, low-toned 'kreaa, kreaa, kreaa' call, which it mingles with a plethora of other calls.

The Hooded Crow is greyish with a slight pinkish tinge in certain lights. The wings, legs, head and tail are black, and there is a bib-like section on the upper breast which is also black. The bill is short, dark and wide. Juvenile is browner than the adult. Hooded Crows may reproduce with Carrion Crows, resulting in birds with markings from each species.

Is flexible with its habitat, which ranges from sea cliffs to agricultural land, and includes moors, woods and human-populated areas. Feeding often occurs at rubbish dumps, estuaries and other places by the seaside.

Utters an abrasive call such as 'crea-crea-crea' or 'caaarr', and sounds much like a Carrion Crow.