Crow Versus Raven.

Most all of us know that the north American is a larger bird than the North American Crow but then of course it is impossible to accurately judge size, or even colour; (crows usually show other colours other than black; I have even seen some non- albinos that were pure white [no black markings whatever]) from a photo or other image. Note:  The crow pictured (right) is not an albino; as you can plainly see, the iris of the eye is not pink.

Of course with a roosting bird it is almost impossible to note the wedge shaped tail of a raven; rather than the blunt tail of a crow. However there are other infallible identifying markings which usually can be readily seen. Ravens have a tuft of feathers covering the upper beak which comes to a point, rather than being rounded off like that of a crow. The smaller STRAIGHTER beak of a crow has no such feathering (tuft). Like the white crow pictured above them, these white ravens

(Photographed at Qualicum Beach British Columbia are NOT albinos.

Ravens have longer rather shaggy neck feathers which crows do not have. Note in accompanying illustration (left); there are also marked differences in wing shape and way of flying. Differentiating one bird from the other should never be a problem except if you are trying to use an “ON LINE” video library such as Google images. Crows, normal life span about eight years, are much more attracted (social) to humans than is the raven; while ravens are more solitary and are much more attracted to carrion (death) than is the crow. Strangely however their life span can be thirty five years or more.~~~Al (Alex-Alexander) D. Girvan.

CRAV'IN THE RAVEN

Crows, Jays, Ravens-The Corvidae Family and Some Very Clever Birds.

Most people, especially  aboriginal and"First Nation" groups would not even  think of "eating crow". What a humiliation!  What an insult! What a put-down of "human dignity", not to mention "human" and traditional rights.They would  much rather fight, riot, or STARVE TO DEATH.


 Man; especially the aboriginal man, "deserves" the best  of everything and should be able to eat chicken-KENTUCKY FRIED- every day if he so pleases.


CHICKEN: one of the most cannibalistic, disease ridden,  dirty, omnivorous scavengers known.

On the other hand, the Corvidae family contains some of the most familiar and well-known birds- crows, Ravens, Jays, Magpies, Nutcrackers and Rooks. These birds have become legendary in many of the world's mythologies. They have a reputation for intelligence (some claim above human) and have been observed using tools. They can talk, whistle, an vocally imitate many other animals and birds. They may be aggressive (so are humans; it is often necessary for survival) and may even seem to be playful. Like most all birds corvids are omnivorous (like man- basically scavengers) eating from many sources. Being so smart and omnivorous allows them to expand their geographic range, perhaps more than any other bird, although they still face their limits in harsh environments and with competition from other birds.  In the Pacific Northwest, the Stellar's Jay British Columbia's provincial bird sometimes steal nuts out of the paws of squirrels. A crow or raven might attack a dog, cat or human just for fun and because they can. They are a very interesting group of 'strange birds".


Raven Recipes:
Some people claim, because ravens are a very tough bird, you should boil the hell out of them. "We are talking about a TOUGH bird that has an enormous breast. It has such a  strong flavour, that you will end up with a fairly decent stock (providing of course that you reserve it, that is where most of the nutrition will then lie) and a very dark meat that is still somewhat flavourful after it has become tender. The meat of any corvid is high in protein, low in fat, remarkably clean and disease free-despite being a scavenger. 
MUCH PREFERABLE, IN MY OPINION, TO DISEASE RIDDEN, OFTEN FLAT TASTING, RUBBER CHICKEN.

NO MEAT OR VEGETABLE SHOULD EVER,EVER, BE BOILED.

 BOILING ONLY DESTROYS: MINERALS, NUTRITION, TASTE, VITAMINS.

Much more economical, nutritious and practical than "boiling the hell out of ravens would be using one of my braising, en-casserole, fricassee, steaming, or stewing recipes. What ever the method used, the main thing to remember is "what's put in the pot stays in the pot and is eaten from the pot-that where the food value and nutrition lies".