Differences between Crow and Ibis

Crow Crow
Ibis Ibis

Crow and Ibis are two classes of birds that belong to the Corvidae and Threskiornithidae families respectively.

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.

Ibis is a wading bird that has been in existence since ages – its fossils date back to over 60 million years. The bird is considered sacred in Egyptian culture. It is a quiet bird with spherical-shaped white body, long red legs, and a red, long, curved bill. Ibis consists of around 26 species of wading birds such as spoonbills.

Where are Crow and Ibis found?

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.

Ibises are inhabited in all warm locations of the world. They do not exist in South Pacific islands and Antarctica alone. They are generally found near wetlands, like marshes, lagoons, ponds, and lakes at sea level. However, some of them also live in grasslands and forests of mountain regions.

What do Crow and Ibis eat?

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.

Ibis is a carnivore. Its natural diet comprises of insects, grasshoppers, spiders, earthworms, crustaceans, beetles, worms, frogs, and small fish. However, the bird can get accustomed to eating anything. It can also consume plant matter, grains, and fruits.

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

  • Both Crow and Ibis eat Fish.
  • Both Crow and Ibis eat Frogs.
  • Both Crow and Ibis eat Lizards.
  • Both Crow and Ibis eat Snakes.
  • Both Crow and Ibis eat Turtles.
  • Both Crow and Ibis eat Squirrels.
  • Gophers are commonly eaten by Crow, but not by all Ibis.
  • Baby Ducks are consumed by both Crowand Ibis.
  • Mice are eaten by both Crow and Ibis.

Size of Crow and Ibis?

When it comes to size, 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 average height of an Ibis is 1.8-2.5 feet. Its wingspan measures about 3.18 feet. The critically endangered Giant Ibis stands around 3.2-3.5 feet.

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. while The male Ibis weighs heavier than the female ones. The average weight of the male is 3.7-5.5 pounds, while that of the female is 3.1-4.2 pounds.

Where do Crow and Ibis nest?

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.

Ibises generally breed in big colonies, except for some species such as the Black Ibis. The nests are usually built on trees using sticks and leaves. However, in the absence of trees Ibises create their nests in bushes or on grasses on the ground. About two to five eggs are laid by an individual Ibis in a nesting season. The incubation lasts for around 21-23 days. The young ones, which are guarded and fed by both the male and female partners, fledge in 28-35 days.

How long do Crow and Ibis live?

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.

Ibises have an average lifespan of 16-27 years. The oldest living White Ibis was 16 years and four months old. It lived in Florida during 1956-1972.

Are Crow or Ibis migratory birds?

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.

Ibis is both a resident and migratory bird. It is migratory in countries like Mangolia, Korea, Japan, and Laos. It has vast breeding colonies in India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia. The bird has migrated to Australia due to drought and loss of habitat in other regions. Ibis is found in the USA, where it migrates from the north during winter.

Do Crow and Ibis fly in flocks?

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.

A flock of Ibises is called congregation, wedge, or stand. Ibis is a convivial bird that travels, sleeps, hunts, and breeds in huge groups that most often also include other species of birds. Ibises especially form large colonies as a breeding season approaches. They also fly in groups through the typical V-formation.

Are Crow or Ibis protected?

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.

Ibis is a protected bird across the world. Hunting, shooting, or attempting to kill the bird is an offence. The USA, Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, India, and France are some countries that are actively involved in the protection of some of the rarest and endangered species of Ibis.

Are Crow or Ibis endangered?

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.

The numbers of several Ibis species is on a downfall owing to loss of habitat, hunting, poaching, use of insecticides in agricultural fields, deforestation, and depletion of wet lands. Giant Ibis, Northern Bald Ibis, and Crested Ibis are extinct in several countries and listed as critically endangered in regions where they exist in a tiny population.

Can Crow and Ibis fly?

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.

Ibis is known as a wading bird. Two extinct species were not able to fly. However, the existing ones can all fly. Ibises stretch out their neck and legs in flight, while also performing flapping and sailing every now and then. They usually fly in groups by forming a V-shape to reduce wind resistance. The birds can keep up a speed of about 23 miles per hour. It has been observed that some species fly over 1,800 miles during migration. The Ibis chicks will generally be able to fly 28-56 days after birth.

Can Crow and Ibis swim?

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.

Ibises rarely swim. They wade through water or occasionally glide by flapping their wings. The birds have been noticed swimming, but they are known to avoid deep waters.

Mating patterns among Crow and Ibis

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.

At the onset of breeding season, male Ibises congregate in huge flocks at the colony to attract the females. They engage in several displays, bathing, and even fights. Once the male finds his mate, the partners participate in nest building and caring for the young ones. It is mostly the female that establishes the nesting site and constructs the nest with occasional assistance from the male.

When is the mating season for Crow and Ibis ?

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

The mating season for Ibises is usually after the rains. Sometimes it is the end of winters. It could even be spring or summer in some regions.

Do Crow and Ibis mate for life?

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.

Ibises are generally monogamous in each breeding season. Some of them even remain with the same partner for many years. At the same time, some males also mate with more than one female in the same breeding season.

How do Crow and Ibis sleep?

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.

Ibises are active during the day. They sleep in colonies in trees during the night – a practice that helps them to protect themselves from predator attacks.

Can Crow and Ibis be eaten?

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.

Ibises are considered delectable in some parts of Africa even today. Although the bird is protected everywhere, some people cook it covertly. The practice comes from a tradition of eating wild meat cooked in spices.

Can you hunt Crow or Ibis?

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.

Ibises were hunted in ancient times for their meat. However, modern strict laws do not allow hunting or shooting of the bird.

Can you feed Crow or Ibis?

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.

Feeding wild animals and birds in public places is not permitted in places like USA, Singapore, and Dubai. In captivity, Ibises can be fed with insects, little fish, frogs, earthworms, and snails. These birds are not picky eaters – so, you may also give them grains, fruits, and vegetables.