Differences between Chickadee and Crow

Chickadee and Crow are two classes of birds that belong to the Paridae and Corvidae families respectively.

Chickadee is a group of North American songbirds that symbolizes energy and courage. The name is analogous to the bird’s call notes that is usually used to send out alarms. It is interesting that the number of times ‘dee’ is called out is based on the type of predator. Chickadees are capable of producing 13 types of complex vocalizations. Chickadees are small birds with a round head and long tail. Their crown, forehead, and neck are deep black in color. The cheeks and belly are pure white, while the back is grey. The wings and tail are streaks of white and black. The eyes of Chickadees are brown. Their bill is short, slightly curved, and black. Chickadee is an inquisitive bird and quick in spotting preys and feeders. It is especially known for its exemplary memory. The bird conceals about 80,000 seeds in different places during the summer and reclaims them efficiently in the winter. Chickadees are also capable of identifying and remembering every aspect of their environment.

Crow is a large bird with incredible intelligence. It is characterized by shiny black plumage and dark legs. Its beak, eyes, wings, and tail are all black. The bird has four toes on each foot. Crows are particularly known for their cleverness. They have great discerning abilities and have excellent self-control. They can make their own tools, solve problems, remember faces, mimic sounds, and prank other animals. They are also trainable. There are around 40 species of crows across the world.

Where are Chickadee and Crow found?

Chickadees generally live in dense forests and coniferous regions. However, they can also be found in open grasslands and open woods near waterbeds. They have also adapted themselves to live in parks and gardens in cities. They are regular visitors at backyards. Chickadees are native to North America. They exist there in huge population. There are seven Chickadee species in the continent. Some of them are Mountain Chickadee, Boreal Chickadee, Mexican Chickadee, and Black-capped Chickadee. Similar birds exist in Asia, Africa, and Europe. However, only the North American group of birds are known as Chickadees. The other identical birds are mostly known as tits.

The natural habitat of Crows include grasslands, forests, mountains, agricultural regions, and deserts. They like locations where there are trees. However, these birds are highly adaptable and exist everywhere. They are common sight even in big cities. Crows can be found in all parts of the world. The exceptions are South America and Antarctica.

What do Chickadee and Crow eat?

Chickadees are omnivores. They mostly eat insects, snails, spiders, worms, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and ants besides berries, seeds, and fruits. Occasionally the birds also eat small invertebrates and carrion.

Crows are omnivores. They are both predators and scavengers. They can eat anything. They eat rodents, reptiles, small mammals, worms, insects, and eggs besides grains, fruits, nuts, and human food.

Here are a few pointers about the eating patterns between Chickadee and Crow

• Chickadee do not eat Fish while Crow eat Fish.
• Chickadee do not eat Frogs while Crow eat Frogs.
• Both Chickadee and Crow eat Lizards.
• Both Chickadee and Crow eat Snakes.
• Chickadee do not eat Turtles while Crow eat Turtles.
• Chickadee do not eat Squirrels while Crow eat Squirrels.
• Chickadee do not eat Gophers while Crow eat Gophers.
• Chickadee do not eat Baby Ducks while Crow eat Baby Ducks.
• Chickadee do not eat Mice while Crow eat Mice.

Size of Chickadee and Crow?

When it comes to size, Chickadees are small birds. They are 2.4-5.5 inches long and have a wingspan of six to eight inches.. The size of crows varies for different species. Jackdaw Crow is the smallest with a length of 13-15 inches and wingspan of 27 inches. Thick-billed Raven is the largest among the species. It is 28 inches long with a wingspan of 45 inches.

The weight of Chickadees depends on the species. The average weight is 0.29-0.39 ounces. while Thick-billed Raven is the largest among crow species. It weighs 2.5-3.3 pounds. On the other hand, the weight of Jackdaw Crow, the smallest Crow, is eight ounces.

Where do Chickadee and Crow nest?

Chickadees generally build their nests in wooded areas, four to 15 feet above the ground. They prefer tree holes and cavities. They also use boxes and birdhouses. Sometimes, the male and female partners dig cavities in the trees. The female bird chooses the nesting site and constructs the nest. The nest of Chickadees is shaped like a cup and made of twigs, leaves, and other material on the outer. It is lined with soft material like moss, rabbit fur, and feathers on the inside. Chickadee eggs are pinkish white with dark speckles. The female incubates them for 12-13 days during which time she is fed by her partner. After the eggs hatch, both partners share the duties of feeding and protecting the young ones. The chicks fledge when they are about 16 days old.

Crows build their nests in colonies. The male and female partners start building their nest about a month before the breeding season. Their offspring from previous breeding seasons assist them in nest building. The nests are constructed intellectually, with stronger material laid at the bottom for reinforcement. Crows use all kinds of material available around them to construct the nests. They would include twigs, sticks, hay, plant material, aluminium and copper wire, plastic threads, and wood pieces. The nests are usually placed in tall trees and hidden between trunks for improved safety. However, in cities, crows make their nests in inaccessible parts of tall buildings and billboards. The female incubates the eggs for about 18 days, during which time her partner and other offspring feed her. The newly hatched chicks fly when they are about four weeks old but continue to be fed by their parents and siblings for a longer time. The younger ones live with their parents until they start breeding on their own and sometimes even until they are five years old.

How long do Chickadee and Crow live?

The average lifespan of Chickadees in the wild is three to seven years. Most nestlings face threat of being eaten by hawks, owls, and other mammals that climb trees. The longest known lived Chickadee was 11 years and five months old.

The average lifespan of Crows is 11-15 years in the wild and over 20-30 years in captivity. Again, this is dependent on the species and the location they live in. Crows in North America are known to live over 30 years.

Are Chickadee or Crow migratory birds?

Chickadees are typically non-migratory. They reside in their territories throughout the year. While adult birds always stay put by huddling together in small flocks during winters, the young ones may travel long distances when population at their territories increases after breeding. However, this cannot be termed as migration. Winters are managed without migration as Chickadees have special adaptations. They have dense plumes that help them maintain body temperature during the day. At nights, they roost in flocks. The birds also stay active to keep themselves warm. Further, Chickadees store seeds and grains in summers so they don’t run out of food during winters.

Crows are partially migratory. Those in southern hemisphere are mostly residents. While some birds migrate short distances during winters, some others stay put even in frigid temperatures. Some of them may migrate to breed and some may travel to escape increased urbanization.

Do Chickadee and Crow fly in flocks?

A flock of Chickadees is called banditry. These birds are extremely gregarious. They are friendly with birds of their own species as well as other birds. They use special calls to interact with their flocks. The birds also follow a complex social hierarchy. Chickadees mostly live in pairs during the breeding season. In other times, they live in small flocks of four to 12 birds. In winters they roost in flocks to maintain body temperature.

A flock of Crows is called a murder. Crows are sociable birds. They live in groups of varying sizes and always roost in flocks. The birds also have their own families consisting of two to 15 members. Different families communicate and cooperate with each other.

Are Chickadee or Crow protected?

Chickadees are protected under the law in North America. According to the law, it is illegal to hunt, harm, trap or transport the birds or their nests.

Crows are protected in many countries under various schemes and laws for wildlife conservation and protection of migratory birds. Harming Crows or their nests is a punishable offence in these places. However, in countries like Canada there is no law to protect Crows.

Are Chickadee or Crow endangered?

Chickadees are neither threatened nor endangered. They exist in booming numbers. However, their population is expected to get scattered and their habitats are likely to get distributed owing to global warming and climate change.

Crows are not endangered birds although their numbers are reducing owing to habitat loss, persecution by farmers, and widespread urbanization. The Hawaiian Crow is extinct in the wild. Restoration activities to increase their population is in progress. Similarly, numbers of Mariana Crow are dropping since 1960s with only a few of them remaining now. They are listed as critically endangered. Efforts to conserve them are underway.

Can Chickadee and Crow fly?

In flight, the wings and tail of Chickadees are spread out. The birds move up and down while flying and usually do not fly in a straight line. They flap their wings vigorously in short intervals. The maximum flying speed of Chickadees is 12 miles per hour. Chickadees either fly alone or in flocks that may also include other species of birds. They are capable of performing acrobatics while hanging on to trees or bird feeders.

Crows usually fly along the same lines every day. They are joined by their flocks as they fly for hunting or towards their roosting sites. They can fly at a speed of 30-60 miles an hour. During migration, some species travel up to 1,740 miles.

Can Chickadee and Crow swim?

Chickadees are small birds with feet adapted for perching. Therefore, they cannot swim. But the birds visit shallow waters for drinking and bathing. They are also capable of bathing in cold icy waters during winters.

Crows are not waterbirds. They do not have webbed feet and their body structure does not allow them to swim. They may be able to float on shallow waters by flapping their wings.

Mating patterns among Chickadee and Crow

Chickadees attain sexual maturity when they are six to eight months old. Soon after winter, the flocks start disintegrating and the birds will become more territorial. There is no particular mating ritual that Chickadees follow. The male Chickadees become aggressive to defend their territories. Some of them also feed their partners. The male and female engage in singing and fluttering of wings during courtship. The female recites ‘dee’ multiple times to keep her partner undistracted. At the same time, she is observant of the singing competitions between her partner and other males. Chickadees generally raise only one brood each year. The clutch could have one to 13 eggs depending on the species. The female lays one egg per day. Older females lay the maximum number of eggs. The female bird incubates the eggs and also protects them from predators. She is supported by her partner after hatching to tend to the young ones.

Crows reach sexual maturity when they are two to four years old. The mating displays generally take place on the ground. The male bird ruffles his feathers and makes bowing movements while facing the female. He also makes soft coos to attract her attention. Most partners share their mating territories with their children from previous breeding seasons. The female usually lays two to six eggs in a clutch. The eggs hatch after about 18 days.

When is the mating season for Chickadee and Crow ?

The mating season for Chickadees occurs during April-June. The birds start pairing in the beginning of April and by the start of May they start building their nests.

The mating season for Crows is usually March-July. It varies slightly in different continents.

Do Chickadee and Crow mate for life?

Chickadees are usually monogamous. Their relationships last for several years or for life. In some cases, the female may dissociate from her partner if she finds another mate from a higher status in the hierarchy.

Crows are monogamous. They mate with the same partner each year. Only in the case of death or indisposition of one partner does the other seek a different mate.

How do Chickadee and Crow sleep?

Chickadees sleep in tree holes, bird boxes, or ledges of buildings. They prefer to sleep alone except in winters when they huddle together with their flock. During winters, the birds eat plenty of seeds and insects to endure the long cold nights when they will not be able to venture out for foraging.

Crows usually roost in colonies. They sleep on top of tree while standing up. The birds generally sleep when the sun sets and wake up little before sunrise.

Can Chickadee and Crow be eaten?

There have been instances of people eating the meat of Chickadees in the past. However, harming and hunting of these birds is illegal under modern laws.

Crows are eaten in some cultures. Native Americans and Lithuanians eat them in frenzy. Eating Crow meat is permitted in many countries across the world.

Can you hunt Chickadee or Crow?

Chickadees may have been hunted in the past for their meat. However, modern laws do not permit hunting, harming, or trapping of the birds.

Crows are hunted for different reasons, such as for sport and meat. They are also killed by farmers for destroying their crops. The birds are not protected everywhere. Countries like the USA allow killing of Crows with a permit or outside of the nesting season.

Can you feed Chickadee or Crow?

Chickadees have never been domesticated by humans. They are nevertheless offered food at bird feeders. People usually give them sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet blends.

Feeding Crows in public is discouraged in places like Singapore, Canada, and Dubai. However, feeding Crows is a ritualistic practise in some cultures of south Asia. In captivity, Crows are given worms, mice, eggs, and meat.