Common Least Skipper vs Common Raven

Ancyloxypha numitor compared with Corvus corax

Key Differences

• Common Least Skipper is Least Concern while Common Raven is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Least Skipper	Common Raven
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Insecta (Insects)	Aves (Birds)
Order	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)	Passeriformes (Songbirds)
Family	Hesperiidae	Corvidae (Crows & Ravens)
Genus	Ancyloxypha	Corvus (Crows & Ravens)
Species	Ancyloxypha numitor	Corvus corax

Evolutionary Relationship

Common Least Skipper and Common Raven share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Common Least Skipper

LC — Least Concern

Common Raven

NE — Not Evaluated

Population: ~16.0M

Trend: Increasing ↑

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Least Skipper	Common Raven
Diet	—	Omnivore
Average Lifespan	—	15 years
Average Length	—	60 cm
Average Weight	—	1.2 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common Least Skipper

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Canada and United States.

Common Raven

Habitat

Typically found in a wide range of habitat types.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries) and North America (United States).

Common Least Skipper

The Common Least Skipper (<em>Ancyloxypha numitor</em>) is a small butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is native to Canada and the United States, where it typically inhabits virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats within its range, showing a particular affinity for moist, grassy areas near water. The species is among the smallest skippers in North America, characterized by orange and brown wing coloration and a rapid, low-flying flight pattern close to vegetation. Adults typically nectar on small flowers while larvae feed on grasses, particularly those in wet meadows, marshes, stream margins, and disturbed grassy areas. The Common Least Skipper is frequently observed in wetland margins, wet prairies, and roadsides with rank grass growth. Its wide distribution across North America and habitat generalism across moist grassland and wetland types support its stable population and Least Concern conservation status. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

Common Raven

One of the most intelligent birds known, common ravens demonstrate problem-solving abilities rivaling great apes, including tool use, planning, and deceptive behavior. Found across the Northern Hemisphere from Arctic tundra to deserts, ravens are highly adaptable omnivores. They form complex social hierarchies, engage in cooperative foraging, and have been observed engaging in play. Their intelligence and black plumage have made them figures of mythology across many cultures.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇺🇸 United States