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Conservation status: Green

Bare, greyish-white face, thinner beak and peaked head make it distinguishable from the carrion crow. Rooks are very sociable birds, and you're not likely to see one on its own. They feed and roost in flocks in winter, often together with jackdaws.

Overview

Latin name

Corvus frugilegus

Family

Crows and allies (Corvidae)

Where to see them

Rooks are most usually seen in flocks in open fields, or feeding in small groups along a roadside. They will come into town parks and villages but largely keep clear of the middle of big towns and cities. They are absent from the far north west of Scotland.

When to see them

All year round.

What they eat

Worms, grain and insects

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-1,130,000 - 1,440,000 pairs--

Distribution

Key

Illustrations

Audio

Patrik Aberg, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Rook

Rook - adult
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: black, blue
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey
  • Beak length: medium
  • Beak thickness: medium
  • Beak shape: medium
  • Leg colour: black/grey
  • Behaviour: on feeder, part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, eats birds/chicks/eggs

Rook (juvenile)

Rook - juvenile
  • Colouring: Juvenile
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: black
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey
  • Beak length: medium
  • Beak thickness: medium
  • Beak shape: medium
  • Leg colour: black/grey
  • Behaviour: on feeder, part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, eats birds/chicks/eggs

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