Ravens and Crows are not the same species, but they are both members of the same family: Corvidae. Jays, and Magpies are also members of this family. Ravens tend to be larger, heavier birds with a thicker bill, and when in flight have a diamond shaped tail. Crows are smaller, a slightly smaller build, and have a squared off tail when seen in flight. Blackbirds are in a completely different family: Icteridae. Orioles also belong to this family. They are much smaller birds than either crows or ravens, and most species we get here in the US have some other coloration besides black. If you are in the UK, blackbirds there are different than what is considered a blackbird in the US. The blackbirds there are in the family: Turdidae. They are actually a type of thrush rather than a true blackbird.
My mom is rather taken with these big, black, foreboding birds. Her liking to them has started to rub off on me. I painted this one a while ago, but when sat next to a pumpkin he looks perfect for the season.
