Would you like to know how to tell the difference between a rook and a carrion crow and how to recognize a young rook? Then read our profile on this magnificent crow.
The Rook (Corvus frugilegus) is often confused with the more commonly known Carrion Crow. The two wild birds are different species, some of which differ greatly in their breeding biology and in other areas of their lives. As the name suggests, rooks prefer to stay in agricultural areas. There they can often be observed in large swarms on fields in search of food. You can find out how to clearly identify the rook and what else you need to know about the crow bird here in our large species portrait.
Rook: Wanted Poster
| Size | 41 - 49 cm |
| Weight | About 500 g |
| Incubation | March - June |
| Lifetime | Up to 20 years |
| Habitat | Agricultural areas, settlements |
| Food Preference | Seeds, Insects, Berries and Fruits |
| Threats | Depletion in food and habitat, human displacement |
How to recognize the rook
Rooks can grow up to 50 cm tall and are characterized by their pitch-black, shiny plumage. Their beak is long, strong and dark at the tip. The base of the beak, on the other hand, is light and featherless and contrasts with the dark plumage. The bright beak can also be seen in flight and from a distance. Unfortunately, male and female rooks cannot be distinguished visually.
What does the rook call sound like?
Like all crow relatives, the rook has a rather croaky, unmelodious call. In comparison to the carrion crow, however, its voice sounds even hoarser and throatier - similar to a sharp "Grääh". At the colony site and then when large squads gatherget together, the screams of the animals can sometimes be deafening.
This is what the rook call sounds like:
What is the difference between rook and carrion crow?
The best way to tell rooks and carrion crows apart is to look at the animal's beak. Because while rooks have an unfeathered, light-colored beak base, that of carrion crows is covered with fine black feathers. This makes the carrion crow's face appear uniformly dark.
How do you recognize a fledgling rook?
Young rooks can be recognized by the fact that they still have fine feathers at the base of the beak and the beak therefore does not yet appear as light and large as that of the adult animals. This trait also makes young rooks easily confused with carrion crows; however, their beak is pointed and straight, while that of carrion crows is strong and arched.
What do rook eggs look like?
Rook eggs are about 4 cm in size, have a greenish base color and are sometimes heavily covered with dark spots. The eggs are laid in a large nest made of twigs, the hollow of which is lined with a variety of materials.
Which habitat does the rook prefer?
Rooks prefer open terrain where they can forage in short vegetation. In most regions, they are therefore dependent on man-made agricultural land. However, just as important as the actual areas are suitable nesting structures in the immediate vicinity, for example individual groups of trees or small pieces of forest.
Where does the rook build its nest?
The rook builds a free-standing nest in the tops of tall trees. Both breeding partners are involved in building the nest itself. Rooks are also very social birds and like to breed in large colonies. It is not uncommon for up to several hundred nests to be observed in the surrounding trees at a colony site.
When is the rook breeding season?
The breeding season of rooks lasts from March to June. During this time, most rooks brood only once. Once a breeding pair has found each other, they usually have a lifelong, monogamous marriage.
The eggs are fromFemales incubated for between 16 and 18 days. During this time, it rarely leaves the nest and is provided with food by the male. The young rooks then hatch and are fed by both parents in the nest. After about four weeks, the young birds are big enough to leave the nest and start exploring. However, even after this point they are still supported by their parents in their search for food for a while.
Where does the rook spend the winter?
Rooks are partial migrants. About half of the populations settled in Central Europe move to warmer regions, the other half remain in their breeding areas. The migrating individuals are short-distance migrants and only move about 1000 to 2000 kilometers from their breeding grounds. The remaining animals are out and about in smaller and larger flocks even in winter and look for food together in the barren landscape.
Support the rook in the garden: How it works
The probability that a colony of rooks will settle in your garden is relatively small. Nevertheless, isolated animals can sometimes venture into the garden in search of food. Find out below how you can prepare for the sociable birds and what you need to bear in mind.
What do rooks eat?
Rooks feed on both plant and animal food. Especially in spring and summer, the birds hunt for worms, snails, insects and other small animals in the low vegetation of fields and meadows. In late year and winter they eat mainly seeds - mainly grain.
Rooks can also be found at feeding stations, where they eat grains of various sizes. For example, you can offer our Plantura scattered feed, which supports many garden birds in winter with its carefully selected, energy-rich and nutrient-rich ingredients.
How can you support the rooks?
In addition to bird seed, you can also create natural food sources for birds in your garden. With native flowers, ponds and shrubs, you can support birds directly with seeds and berries and indirectly by creating habitats for insects and other small animals. An insect-friendly garden is therefore also at the same timebird friendly.
In order not to negatively influence the range of insects, you should also avoid using chemical sprays - especially since these can even poison birds via the food chain. Instead, animal garden visitors are happy about a touch of wildness and a lot of native diversity in our gardens.
Another garden bird that enjoys a rich range of insects in summer and can still be seen here in winter is the short-toed treecreeper. You can find out how you can recognize this little songbird and what else you can do for it in our next species portrait.