| Owl | Crow |
|---|---|
|
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| Wins 70.30% of 1k fights | Wins 29.70% of 1k fights |
Owls and Crows are the bloods and crips of the animal kingdom. The two creatures have an innate hatred of one another from birth and are polar opposites in terms of habits, mannerisms, and hunting patterns. But, like most competitions, the only way to declare a true winner is to put them both in the Fantasy Brawls battle arena. But before we take a look at each animal's size, strength and weaponry, let's first figure out why they hate each so much and then we'll dive into what happens when a crow and owl fight.
While it's not clear who started the beef, owls prey on crows whilst they sleep and crows then retaliate in the daytime. But one animal being diurnal and the other nocturnal isn't normally enough to cause hatred that spans generations. The longstanding feud is largely due to owls plucking young and even old crows from their nests while they slumber.
Owls, the crow natural enemy, are huge and can fly in almost complete silence, enabling them to launch power sneak attacks on unsuspecting crows. In addition to their stealthy flight ability, they possess powerful talons, and amazing night vision making them the ultimate shadow assassin. Crows aren't slouches on the battlefield either and possess a strong memory that allows them to navigate back to the owls that attacked them.
The crows launch their attacks during the day, when the owl is sleeping and use their wits and social skills to overwhelm their foes. Crows will engage in mobbing, which can involve dozens of birds ganging up an owl to drive them away. While most times these attacks are not fatal, they are enough to cause generations of owls to retaliate and restart the cycle of violence again. Now that we know how the feud began, let's figure out which of these winged warriors is stronger.
Big owls, like the Great Horned Owl can exert up to 500 psi with their talons, enabling them to crush bones. Owls also have impressive lifting ability. While it may not sound impressive, they can hoist up to 1/2 their body weight into the air with ease. Crows on the other hand can seldom lift anything more than a small sandwich. When it comes to strength, owls completely outclass their opponents.
Owls, no matter the species, are significantly larger than crows. A Great Horned Owl can weigh over 3 pounds and stretch its wings up to 5 feet across. Meanwhile, a typical crow barely hits the 1-pound mark and has a wingspan just over 3 feet. Owls also appear much bulkier due to their dense feathers and muscular frames. When they go airborne, they dominate the sky like floating tanks, while crows are the darting rogues.
All owls are not created equal, however. Some look like dinosaurs while others can fit in a parakeet cage. Here's a massive comparison between common, rare, and downright beastly owl species and the humble American crow.
Crows take the speed crown. They're agile, tactical, and capable of sharp turns during flight. Their aerial maneuvers are a spectacle, especially when they're engaged in coordinated mobbing. Owls, while powerful, are built for stealth and control rather than speed. Their wings allow silent gliding, not fast pursuit. So in a chase, the crow has the upper hand, weaving through trees and dodging strikes with ease.
In terms of raw speed, most crows can reach top speeds of around 30 to 40 miles per hour in flight. Some species have been clocked at even higher speeds during dives or escapes. Owls, in contrast, typically cruise at slower speeds, around 20 to 30 miles per hour. They trade velocity for near-silent flight, using their broad wings to stay quiet and efficient rather than fast. In terms of speed, the crow is the clear winner.
In a one on one bout a solitary crow can do little to defeat or even force a draw with a large raptor like an owl. Its only hope is to catch the owl when it's most vulnerable, during the day. This is the perfect time to launch an attack as the owl will be groggy and the crow is at its best. Unfortunately for crow fans, a single crow lacks the striking power needed to deliver a decisive blow to the owl, even if it's caught off guard.
Its talons are too weak and its beak, not powerful enough to inflict significant damage. So, unless the crow grabs at least 3 or more of its bros, there is no way it defeats an owl. The winner of this avian showdown is the wise owl.
The owl flew away with the W today but if you're still itching for more avian battles, head over to the battle between the Osprey and Bald Eagle. And if you're eager to play this battle out on your own, check out the Fantasy Brawls Online Battle Simulator. The crow may fare a little better in the online game as it carries a type advantage over the owl. Crows are tacticians while owls are brawlers, thus granting their attacks 50% more power.
Posted by: Matt Irving on 05/13/2025
