A common question at the lake is, "Was that a crow or a raven?"

The answer is usually... a crow.

But both birds are far more interesting than most people realize.

Crows are among the most intelligent birds on Earth. They're members of the songbird family, can recognize individual human faces, solve puzzles, use tools, and even mimic sounds.

One winter at the lake, I heard a strange mechanical noise outside in the middle of the night. It sounded like a submarine's sonar echoing through the trees. I recorded it, amplified the audio, and posted it online, convinced it had to be some unusual military machine.

It was identified as... a crow.

Ravens are just as clever, but much larger. If you're unsure which bird you're looking at, don't start with the colour-they're both black. Instead, look at the size. Ravens are noticeably bigger, have a thicker bill, a wedge-shaped tail, and a deep, croaking call. Crows are smaller, have a fan-shaped tail, and make the familiar "caw."

Next time you're at the lake...

When you see a black bird, don't just think "crow."

Take a second look.

You might be looking at one of the smartest animals in the forest.