Suzan

1.  Research on predators of songbird nests indicates that crows are not frequent predators, though they do at times engage in this behavior.  Snakes and squirrels are much more likely to invade nests and destroy eggs and nestlings.  2.  I have seen American crows frequently in my yard and all around the area where we live in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia.  I have not spotted a crow's nest.  3. I live in an area where there are both species, but I do not believe I have seen a raven - or perhaps I was just unable to identify one.  The crows I see most often are around our property.  I notice them often under our bird feeders or picking up livestock feed that we set out for wild animals.  4. I believe that our songbirds may benefit from the presence of crows, because they all a danger alert.  We have hawks nearby, and I have seen crows chase the hawks.