Rook,Crow or Raven (1 Viewer)

[Saphire]

Hi all I need an ID This bird was B****dy enormous, at first I thought a large crow until it flew overhead, I have never seen a crow as large as this one appeared to be, was I right first time large crow.

 

[Bluetail]

White beak and face = Rook. The thinness of the beak is another giveaway

 

[Geoff Pain]

I'd go Rook too.

 

[Saphire]

Bluetail I have just checked in my field guide it gives the rook very close in size to a crow. If it is a Rook then it must have been eating well. because this one was twice the size of the crows that where flying around.

 

[David FG]

'Straggly' looking primaries also tends towards Rook. They are much scruffier looking birds than crows.

 

[Saphire]

I have just played around with the image a bit more and lightened it there is a definate paler color just below the beak. Can see it as a Rook now Thanks

 

[Lucky Birder]

The giveaway is the tail. Carrion Crow has a slightly shorter squarer ended tail. Rook has this more rounded slightly wedge-shaped tail. If in doubt always look at the tail - it's most reliable feature in my experience.

 

[Bluetail]

Hi Saphire

I don't think there's any doubt. The white face and beak that are clearly visible in your photo are absolutely diagnostic of Rook. And they do have the rounded tail shown in the photo. You can sometimes get abnormally large or small birds - not at all common in my experience, but it does happen. Alternatively, could the other crows have been Jackdaws perhaps? They're quite small and would make a Rook look enormous in comparison.

 

[Saphire]

Doubts now gone Thank you. I have some very large crows picking of the rabbits thats why I wasn't sure. Its the first time I have seen a Rook as close as this. It was the wing span that caught my eye as it was coming toward me. At the time I was trying to catch the woodpecker in flight so was just waitng stood in the middle of the lawn.
Still can't get the woodpecker it goes past to fast.

 

[Jess2002]

crows and rooks can always be tricky and i guess like any bird they do vary in size. In most experiences I've had with ravens, you cant mistake them specially if they are compared with other crows, they're more buzzard size when in the air. Another good pointer is that ravens have a really rounded tappered point to the tail (best way I can describe it) and when viewed below this would have been really obvious.

 

[snapper]

Hi all I need an ID This bird was B****dy enormous, at first I thought a large crow until it flew overhead, I have never seen a crow as large as this one appeared to be, was I right first time large crow.

Is this the Guy

Regards Snapper.

 

[Docmartin]

Rooks look bigger than they really are - I guess cos they are gangly and untidy.

 

[Saphire]

Snapper brilliant photo, ugly looking birds arn't they.

 

[RecoveringScot]

Snapper brilliant photo, ugly looking birds arn't they.

For some odd reason, they all remind me of vicars (?).

 

[Stuart Watson]

Rooks are cool birds - I have seen larger than normal ones on the odd occassion, but BT most likely right with the Jackdaw comparison.
Good luck with your woodpecker - why not try smearing some nut mixture on tree trunks near where they hang out, this may allow you an easier photo opportunity

 

[KC Foggin]

Is this the Guy

Regards Snapper.

Lord, there is another bird uglier than our Turkey Vulture

 

[Ronayne88]

Rook without doubt - the bare face gives it away. Also ravens have diamond shaped tails

 

[Bluetail]

Lord, there is another bird uglier than our Turkey Vulture

Yep: Wood Stork!

 

[Edward woodwood]

King Vulture
Marabou Stork

and...er....

Tim

 

[Terry O'Nolley]

Is this the Guy

Regards Snapper.

Crikey! That thing'll give a man nightmares! Look at the talons on it! Yeesh, I used to think vultures were ugly......

Great picture though!