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Difference between revisions of "Rook" - BirdForum Opus

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[[Image:Rook.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|christineredgate|christineredgate}} <br/ >[[Hodbarrow|Haverigg]], [[Cumbria]], [[UK]]]]
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[[Image:Rook.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Nominate subspecies ''C. f. frugilegus''<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|christineredgate|christineredgate}} <br/ >[[Hodbarrow|Haverigg]], [[Cumbria]], [[UK]],  2 December 2004]]
 
'''Alternative names: Eurasian Rook; Eastern Rook (''pastinator'')'''
 
'''Alternative names: Eurasian Rook; Eastern Rook (''pastinator'')'''
 
;[[:Category:Corvus|Corvus]] frugilegus
 
;[[:Category:Corvus|Corvus]] frugilegus
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
46 cm<br/ >
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44–47 cm (17&frac14;-18&frac12; in)<br/ >
 
Plumage is totally black, with a strong purple/violet gloss in the sun. Long, pointed pale bill leading to a black tip. Bare whitish face (in adult). Loose thigh feathers looking like 'baggy trousers'. Slightly peaked crown. Black legs. Rather rounded tail.<br/ >
 
Plumage is totally black, with a strong purple/violet gloss in the sun. Long, pointed pale bill leading to a black tip. Bare whitish face (in adult). Loose thigh feathers looking like 'baggy trousers'. Slightly peaked crown. Black legs. Rather rounded tail.<br/ >
 
'''Juvenile''' is duller with a fully feathered face.
 
'''Juvenile''' is duller with a fully feathered face.
 
====Similar Species====
 
====Similar Species====
[[Carrion Crow]] has a much stouter all black bill, which is de-curved at the tip. Beware of confusion juvenile Rook and [[Carrion Crow]]. [[Raven]] is much larger and has a massive bill.
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[[Image:RK 6690.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo &copy; by {{user|Mali|Mali}}<br />West Hythe, [[Kent]], [[UK]], 27 October 2008]]
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[[Carrion Crow]] has a much stouter all black bill, which is de-curved at the tip. Beware of confusion juvenile Rook and [[Carrion Crow]]. [[Common Raven]] is much larger and has a massive bill.
 +
====Variations====
 +
The smaller East Asian subspecies has its face and throat fully feathered unlike the nominate race in Europe.
 +
 
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
[[Image:RK 6690.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|Mali|Mali}}<br />West Hythe, [[Kent]], [[UK]]]]
 
 
Found in [[Europe]] and [[Asia]].<br />
 
Found in [[Europe]] and [[Asia]].<br />
Widespread in [[Europe]], reaching south [[Sweden]], south [[Norway]] and west [[Finland]] in the north, northern [[Spain]] in the southwest. Patchily found in [[Turkey]], [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]] and [[Iran]]. In [[Russia]] east to [[Kazakhstan]], [[Uzbekistan]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Mongolia]] and most of [[China]].<br />
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Widespread in [[Europe]], reaching south [[Sweden]], south [[Norway]] and west [[Finland]] in the north, northern [[Spain]] in the southwest. Mostly only found in the northern parts of [[Italy]]. Patchily found in [[Turkey]], [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]] and [[Iran]]. In [[Russia]] east to [[Kazakhstan]], [[Uzbekistan]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Mongolia]] and most of [[China]].<br />
 
Reaches the Mediterranean in winter, also the Middle East, [[Iran]], the [[India]]n Subcontinent and south [[China]],<br />
 
Reaches the Mediterranean in winter, also the Middle East, [[Iran]], the [[India]]n Subcontinent and south [[China]],<br />
 
An introduced population in [[New Zealand]].<br />
 
An introduced population in [[New Zealand]].<br />
 
Very common to abundant in the west despite massive persecution as a pest bird. ''Pastinator'' in the east is much more localized and rarer.
 
Very common to abundant in the west despite massive persecution as a pest bird. ''Pastinator'' in the east is much more localized and rarer.
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
Polytypic. Consists of two subspecies:
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[[Image:11008rook juvenile whitestown sept 05.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo ©  by {{user|breffni|breffni}}<br />Louth, [[Ireland]], 10 September 2005]]
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This is a [[Dictionary_P-S#M|polytypic]] species, consisting of two subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
 
* ''C. f. frugilegus'' from [[Europe]] east to central [[Siberia]]
 
* ''C. f. frugilegus'' from [[Europe]] east to central [[Siberia]]
 
* ''C. f. pastinator'' from central [[Siberia]] eastwards
 
* ''C. f. pastinator'' from central [[Siberia]] eastwards
 +
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 
Open fields, or feeding in small groups along a roadside. They will come into town parks and villages.
 
Open fields, or feeding in small groups along a roadside. They will come into town parks and villages.
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
[[Image:11008rook juvenile whitestown sept 05.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|breffni|breffni}}<br />Louth, [[Ireland]], September 2005]]
 
 
Very gregarious throughout the year
 
Very gregarious throughout the year
 
====Breeding====
 
====Breeding====
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[[Image:RookIMG 3043.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Adult "Eastern Rook" subspecies ''C. f. pastinator''<br />Photo ©  by {{user|jmorlan|Joseph Morlan}}<br />Izumi--Izumi Crane Observation Center, Kagoshima Prefecture, [[Japan]], 18 February 2019]]
 
Nesting is in large colonies. <br/ >
 
Nesting is in large colonies. <br/ >
 
The nest is built high in a tree close to other nests. The nest is bulky and made from twigs bound together with earth, lined with moss, leaves, grass, wool, and hair. Previous years' nests may be renovated and reused. <br />
 
The nest is built high in a tree close to other nests. The nest is bulky and made from twigs bound together with earth, lined with moss, leaves, grass, wool, and hair. Previous years' nests may be renovated and reused. <br />
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'''Call''': "kaaa" (less harsh than Crow).
 
'''Call''': "kaaa" (less harsh than Crow).
 
<flashmp3>Corvus frugilegus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
 
<flashmp3>Corvus frugilegus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
''[[Media:Corvus frugilegus (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
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==References==
 
==References==
#British Garden Birds
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#{{Ref-Clements6thAug21}}#[http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/birds/rook.html British Garden Birds]
#Birdwatchers Pocket Guide ISBN 1-85732-804-3
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#Hayman, P. (2002)''The New Birdwatcher's Pocket Guide to Britain and Europe''. Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 1-85732-804-3
#Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966
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#Fitter, R. & S. Richmond (1966). ''Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds''. London: Collins.
#Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
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#{{Ref-Collins5th93}}#{{Ref-HBWVol14}}#Brazil, M. (2018) Birds of Japan. Helm Field Guides
#{{Ref-HBWVol14}}
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#Madge, S. & Burn, H. (1994) ''Crows and Jays: A Guide to the Crows, Jays and Magpies of the World.'' Houghton Mifflin, Boston.
 +
#Madge, S. (2019). Rook (''Corvus frugilegus''). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/60784 on 2 May 2019).
 
{{Ref}}
 
{{Ref}}
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==External Links==
 
==External Links==
{{GSearch|Corvus+frugilegus}}  
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{{GSearch|Corvus frugilegus {{!}} "Rook" {{!}} "Eurasian Rook" {{!}} "Eastern Rook"}}
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{{GS-checked}}1
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<br />
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<br />
 +
 
 
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Corvus]][[Category:Bird Songs]]
 
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Corvus]][[Category:Bird Songs]]

Latest revision as of 20:40, 7 February 2023

Nominate subspecies C. f. frugilegus
Photo © by christineredgate
Haverigg, Cumbria, UK, 2 December 2004

Alternative names: Eurasian Rook; Eastern Rook (pastinator)

Corvus frugilegus

Identification

44–47 cm (17¼-18½ in)
Plumage is totally black, with a strong purple/violet gloss in the sun. Long, pointed pale bill leading to a black tip. Bare whitish face (in adult). Loose thigh feathers looking like 'baggy trousers'. Slightly peaked crown. Black legs. Rather rounded tail.
Juvenile is duller with a fully feathered face.

Similar Species

Photo © by Mali
West Hythe, Kent, UK, 27 October 2008

Carrion Crow has a much stouter all black bill, which is de-curved at the tip. Beware of confusion juvenile Rook and Carrion Crow. Common Raven is much larger and has a massive bill.

Variations

The smaller East Asian subspecies has its face and throat fully feathered unlike the nominate race in Europe.

Distribution

Found in Europe and Asia.
Widespread in Europe, reaching south Sweden, south Norway and west Finland in the north, northern Spain in the southwest. Mostly only found in the northern parts of Italy. Patchily found in Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran. In Russia east to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia and most of China.
Reaches the Mediterranean in winter, also the Middle East, Iran, the Indian Subcontinent and south China,
An introduced population in New Zealand.
Very common to abundant in the west despite massive persecution as a pest bird. Pastinator in the east is much more localized and rarer.

Taxonomy

Juvenile
Photo © by breffni
Louth, Ireland, 10 September 2005

This is a polytypic species, consisting of two subspecies[1]:

  • C. f. frugilegus from Europe east to central Siberia
  • C. f. pastinator from central Siberia eastwards

Habitat

Open fields, or feeding in small groups along a roadside. They will come into town parks and villages.

Behaviour

Very gregarious throughout the year

Breeding

Adult "Eastern Rook" subspecies C. f. pastinator
Photo © by Joseph Morlan
Izumi--Izumi Crane Observation Center, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, 18 February 2019

Nesting is in large colonies.
The nest is built high in a tree close to other nests. The nest is bulky and made from twigs bound together with earth, lined with moss, leaves, grass, wool, and hair. Previous years' nests may be renovated and reused.
Three to nine eggs are laid which are smooth, glossy and light blue, greenish-blue or green with dark spots. The eggs are about 40 mm long. The female incubates the eggs for 16-20 days. Both parents feed the young after they have hatched.

Diet

The diet includes insects, worms, carrion and seeds. They will visit bird tables for scraps and fruit.

Vocalisation

Call: "kaaa" (less harsh than Crow). <flashmp3>Corvus frugilegus (song).mp3</flashmp3>

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2021. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2021. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. British Garden Birds
  3. Hayman, P. (2002)The New Birdwatcher's Pocket Guide to Britain and Europe. Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 1-85732-804-3
  4. Fitter, R. & S. Richmond (1966). Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds. London: Collins.
  5. Peterson, RT, G Mountfort and PAD Hollom. 1993. Collins Field Guide – Birds of Britain and Europe, 5th Revised edition. London: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 978-0002199001
  6. Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
  7. Brazil, M. (2018) Birds of Japan. Helm Field Guides
  8. Madge, S. & Burn, H. (1994) Crows and Jays: A Guide to the Crows, Jays and Magpies of the World. Houghton Mifflin, Boston.
  9. Madge, S. (2019). Rook (Corvus frugilegus). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/60784 on 2 May 2019).

Recommended Citation

External Links

GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1

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