WBW 668 - Rook

The Rook (Corvus frugilegus) is a member of the crow family, the Corvidae and can be found from Scandinavia and Western Europe to Eastern Siberia.  This bird was photographed in the South West of England at Slimbridge, a Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve.

The Rook is a large, gregarious bird with the black plumage the is common to many, but not all, Corvids.  In the UK this species can be distinguished from other similar, all black Corvids, by the boney looking whitish featherless area on the face.  This species also has wears black feather 'trousers' that extend at least partially down its legs.

Rooks nest in groups in the tops of tall trees, often close to farms or villages; the groups of nests are called rookeries.  Rooks are one of the first birds to start breeding - or at least nest building / repair - in the UK.  It's a sure sign that the winter weather is at least thinking about moving into spring when the rooks return to their rookeries.

Rooks are a fairly large bird, with an adult weight between 280 to 340 g, and a wingspan of between 81 to 99 cm.

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(Public Service Announcement: for the last five weeks I have been travelling in Europe (hence the Rook) and I made the decision that I would avoid my computer / phone for as much of that time as possible.  As a result I have not been visiting any blogs or responding to comment.  Normal service will be restored in the next few days when the jet lag disappears!  SM)

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