Birds like crows and ravens often get a bad name due to folklore and negative depictions in media, but they contribute much more than merely being figures in spooky tales. These birds are highly intelligent and play essential roles in our ecological systems.

“Whether we admire them for their creepy qualities or something else, it’s fantastic to connect with birds in any way possible,” stated Chad Witko, a senior coordinator for avian biology at the National Audubon Society.

Birds serve as indicators of ecosystem health. A decline in their populations reflects broader environmental issues. As many common bird species face diminishing numbers, including grackles, it becomes increasingly vital to appreciate and protect them, according to Witko.

“Birds are incredible if we take the time to observe them,” Witko remarked. “We are lucky to share this planet with such creatures.”

Here’s why these birds are unique and where you can spot them from November to April.

Each featured map highlights bird sightings at a county level, contributed by participants of Project FeederWatch, a citizen science initiative organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, spanning from 2011 to 2023.

1. Common raven: This eerie ‘songbird’ won’t serenade you to (everlasting) sleep

While they’re often rapping at doors, common ravens also perform spectacular aerial stunts. If you observe them in flight long enough, you’ll witness their diving, dipping, and attempting barrel rolls, noted Witko.

Despite being the largest songbirds globally, they don’t actually sing. Instead, their communication includes a vast array of sounds like croaking and gurgling.

Crows and ravens belong to the corvid family and are often mistaken for one another. However, you can differentiate them: ravens have shaggy throat feathers and robust beaks, while crows have shorter, slender bills.

2. Turkey vulture: Their strong stomach lets them feast on decaying roadkill. Delicious!

The next time you spot a turkey vulture, express gratitude for their role in maintaining a cleaner environment. As scavengers, they consume carcasses, which helps minimize the spread of disease among wildlife.

Turkey vultures have keen noses and larger nostrils that help them sense decomposing meat. Their adaptations include a bare head for hygiene while feeding and a strong acid in their stomachs that neutralizes bacteria.

If that sounds shocking, turkey vultures also have a unique defense mechanism—they can regurgitate partially digested food to deter would-be predators, according to Witko.

3. American crow: These intelligent birds outperform most toddlers but aren’t a threat to them

You’re probably familiar with the American crow’s characteristic “caw, caw,” yet you may not realize they’re smarter than many small children.

A 2009 study at the University of Washington involved researchers wearing various rubber masks to see if American crows could recognize different human faces. Results showed that these birds can remember individual faces for years. They are also adept at using tools to access food and solve puzzles that could challenge young children. This certainly gives a new meaning to the idea of “birdbrain.”

Sociable by nature, crows often gather in large numbers to roost communally during winter nights, sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands as they perch on tree branches or power lines. If undisturbed, crows have been known to return to the same evening roost for decades, Witko noted. Although a group of crows is commonly referred to as a “murder,” ornithologists prefer the term “flock,” as it doesn’t carry the same ominous connotation.

4. Barn owl: Silent nocturnal hunters, except for their chilling screech

If you expect to hear the typical soft hoot of a barn owl with its distinctive heart-shaped face, prepare yourself for a startling screech instead.

As nocturnal predators, barn owls possess exceptional hearing that allows them to locate prey hidden by foliage or snow, even in complete darkness, according to Witko. Their specially designed wings enable them to glide silently, catching their unsuspecting victims off guard. Favored by farmers, they primarily hunt rodents, swallowing them whole and later regurgitating fur and bones in pellet form, which scientists study to learn more about the ecosystems.

Found on every continent except Antarctica, barn owls are among the most widespread birds globally. However, they are encountering population declines due to habitat destruction and are less commonly sighted in certain areas, noted Witko.

5. Common grackle: This bird may seem dark and foreboding from a distance, but a closer look shows The Allure of Grackles

Don’t be misled by the seemingly harsh yellow eyes of the common grackle; there’s beauty in its appearance. While they seem to be entirely black from a distance, a closer examination showcases their shimmering, iridescent feathers that exhibit stunning shades of green, blue, and purple.

“Population numbers of blackbirds are decreasing throughout the United States,” Witko commented. “Grackles, in particular, are experiencing significant declines. This is a species that deserves our attention and admiration.”