The 10 largest crows in the world

Typically, a Crow refers to several species in the genus corvus that share common features, such as glossy black plumage, omnivorous diets, and high intelligence. Although it has a different name, a raven is a really big crow and is used to identify different species within the corvus sex. Other species in the corvus gender include rooks and chew, which are not covered in this list. In addition, there are many bird species that are popularly called crows, but are not part of the corvus sex. After searching the more than 40 official crow species, we’ve found the top ten largest living crows on Earth.

10. Long-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)

• 45 to 53 cm or up to ~21 in. long

This crow is endemic to the Moluccas, which belong to Indonesia. The long-billed crow has a large bill and prominent white irises, along with the standard glossy black plumage common to most crow species. Although it is an adaptable and resourceful bird, its overall population has declined enough recently to warrant a near-threatened status by the IUCN.

The long-billed crow prefers wooded terrain, although it seems to do well in partially cleared areas and cultivated land. Like other crows, the longbill has a distinct call, described as similar to a puppy’s yapping. Being confined to its archipelago, the species’ continued success revolves around habitat conservation and is far from certain.

9. Torresian Crow (Corvus orru)

• 48 to 53 cm or up to ~21 in. long

The average size of the Torresian crow (48-53 cm) is close in size to the long bill and has a larger minimum than the long bill crow (45-53 cm). It is also often referred to as the Australian crow or Papua crow and is native to areas of Northern and Western Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. The Torresian also has white eyes with a thin blue eye ring, but can be distinguished from the long-beaked due to the presence of feathers with a white base on the neck and head. It is one of six crow species found in Australia.

The Torresian crow is monogamous and both parents share feeding duties. The Torresian also eats more grain than related species, but is an opportunist, eating waste and carrion. Crow populations have increased in several places and the species is listed as: least concern by the IUCN.

8. Forest Raven (Corvus tasmanicus)

• 50 to 53 cm or up to ~21 in. long

Also called the Tasmanian raven, this large crow is native to the island of Tasmania and a few locations in southern Victoria, Australia. It’s the biggest corvus member who lives in Australia and has a wingspan generally between 36-44 inches. Due to its adaptability to the environment, the forest raven is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Although similar to most crow species with glossy black plumage, the forest raven has comparably large wings, which can reach almost to its tail when resting. The forest raven is an omnivore and is often seen eating roadkill. Despite its proliferation, the forest raven is seen as a threat to agriculture, and there are no hunting restrictions on them. Its call is deeper and more gravelly than many crow species, but it can also bark loudly as an alarm. In mainland Australia, its distribution is restricted to forests, but it has been observed in multiple different environments in Tasmania, including alpine forests, terrain adjacent to open land, moors, eucalyptus forests, coastal shrubs and beaches.

7. White-necked raven (Corvus albicollis)

• 50-54 cm or up to 21.25 inches long

The white-necked raven is a large bird native to eastern and southern Africa. It is more recognizable than other crow species due to its large, curved bill terminating in a white tip, along with a small patch of white feathers on the nape. The whites is predominantly black but seems to show a purple sheen down his chest, throat and neck.

The life expectancy of crows in the wild varies widely from species to species, but healthy whitels can live anywhere from 10-15 years. Collared ravens in captivity can reach an astonishing age of 50 years. Like many crows, the white-necked raven can practice mimicry, another display of the bird’s overall intelligence. The white-tailed raven is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

6. Collared Crow (Corvus torquatus)

• 52-55 cm or up to ~21.7 in

Not to be confused with the white-collared crow, the collared crow (also known as the white collared crow and ring-necked crow) is native to China and North Vietnam. The white collar of feathers around the neck is more prominent than the spot on the white-necked raven, and there are additional white spots on the upper back and chest.

The crow’s range is mainly within the borders of China, but no further north than the Beijing area. Despite its historical prevalence, the neck crow has been upgraded twice from the IUCN Red List, culminating in a conservation status of vulnerable in 2018. Estimates place the total crow population somewhere between 2,500 and 9,900.

5. Brown-headed Crow (Corvus fuscicapillus)

• Up to 56 cm or 22 inches long

Like the long bill, the brown-headed crow is endemic to Indonesia. It has glossy black plumage (with a purple sheen) over most of its body, but the head and neck are mos
tly dark brown. The bill is also remarkably large. These crows like to feed on fruit found in treetops.

The brown-headed crow likes to live in primary forests (that is, has never been cleared), secondary growing areas and mangroves. Although they are able to live in open spaces, the brown-headed crow tends to avoid them. Like many species, the population is threatened by human activity, with habitat loss from logging, mining and agriculture resulting in moderate population decline. They are currently listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

4. Brown-necked Raven (Corvus ruficollis)

• 52-56 cm or up to 22 inches long

Like the brown-headed crow, this species has the regular glossy black plumage with a brown neck and head. The feathers tend to turn browner as the bird prepares to molt. Currently, they are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

The range of the species is large and prefers desert environments with oases and palm groves. Brown-necked ravens have been found throughout North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and even as far as Iran. A study in Israel found that the crows often hunt together to capture certain animals, with one crow blocking the exit while the other crow comes into the corner and kills its prey. Some of the crow’s favorite foods include: lizards, snakes, grasshoppers, locusts, carrion, palm dates and fruit.

3. Indian jungle crow (Corvus culminatus) and big-billed crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)

• Both types: 46-59 cm or up to 23.2 inches long

There is a tie for our number three spot, distinguishing between the Indian jungle crow and the big-billed crow. Jungle crows were all lumped together at one point, but have since been split into three distinct species, the Indian jungle crow, the big-billed crow, and the eastern jungle crow. The distinction between species is not immediately clear and has to do with variations in vocal calls.

The Indian jungle crow can be found across the Indian subcontinent among the Himalayan mountains and has a wide variety of favorite foods. The range of the big-billed crow is even wider, with populations in Southeast Asia, Afghanistan, Iran, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and up and down the Asian Pacific coast. Both crows do not experience predation by many animals, but are susceptible to the H1N1 bird flu and several parasites. Their nests are also occasionally hijacked by the Asian cool. The cool will place its egg next to the crow’s eggs, hoping that the crow will pick up the extra egg as one of its own. This type of brood parasitism means that the Asian cool can spend more time foraging and breeding, while the unsuspecting crow broods and raises its young.

2. Common Raven (Corvus corax)

• 54-67 cm or up to 26.3 inches long

This widespread bird is the second largest of all crows. The common raven is found in the Northern Hemisphere and can also be the heaviest of all the crows, weighing up to about 4.4 lbs. The IUCN lists them as Least Concern.

Versatile and adaptable, the common raven takes advantage of its omnivorous food preferences to find workable foods for a wide variety of options. They have spread and coexisted with humans for so long that they are considered pests in some areas, while revered as divine in others. Once they find a mate, the common raven mates for life. Currently, there are between 8 and 11 recognized subspecies, although the taxonomic distribution is likely to change as more research is done.

The common raven is one of the most intelligent crows on earth. They have been observed to participate in play (exhibiting behavior that serves no biological necessity) by sliding down snowdrifts for fun and breaking off twigs for social play, making them one of the few species in the animal kingdom to develop their own making toys. The common raven also likes to let others do work for them; they are known for calling wolves and… coyotes to the place of dead animals. The Wolf or coyote will then open the dead animal, creating more accessible bits of food for the bird. Ravens and crows have also been observed placing nuts on roads in Japan. A car will run over the nut and crack the shell. The raven then enters and claims the food.

1. Fat Crab (Corvus crassus)

• Up to 70 cm or 28 inches long

The largest crow species in the world is the thick-billed raven. True to its name, the raven has a thick, compressed bill that is noticeably curved. In addition, deep nose grooves give the raven a special appearance.

The thick-billed raven lives in the highlands of Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia between about 5,000 ft and 11,150 ft. In height and can grow to over 60 cm in length. The bird is glossy black with brown on the throat and upper back. There is also a white patch on the nape and the bill is white tipped. The raven nests in trees and on cliffs, and like other types of crows, it is an omnivore. The IUCN lists them as Least Concern.

Canuck the crow

Crows have been featured in numerous wildlife documentaries that focus on their adaptability and intelligence. Perhaps one of the more unique stories comes from Vancouver, Canada. A resident found and raised a crow, named it Canuck, and eventually released it into the wild with a red tag on its leg.

The crow has been seen all over the city and is causing mischief. He reportedly flew away with a knife from a crime scene, fought a hawk with four of his friends, and rode the Skytrain (overground subway) around the city, getting in and out of the train like a regular commuter. Occasionally, Canuck has been reported to visit the gym, as a trainer walks around the machines and then takes a nap. Sadly, he hasn’t been seen since 2019 and most likely passed away, but not before he became a celebrity with a Facebook fan page that once numbered over 100,000 members.