Crows & rooks

[warpig3]

i have just moved to scotland recently, and while sitting at the computer I notice that there is a huge number of (what I assume to be) crows and rooks around. I am originally from Northern Ireland and saw these birds very rarely there and not is such numbers. Does anyone know why they are in abundance here ?

Just interested.
thanks
warpig

[burnhal]

Firstly rooks- in Ireland generally there are some half million breeding pairs whilst mainland UK has some 800,000 breeding pairs so no shortage of rooks in Ireland!
As regards crows- mainland UK tend to have the carrion crow- totally black. Northern scotland above the great glen and Ireland tend to have the hooded crow- which is black but with a grey back and breast- very closely related and will interbreed quite happily where the two species overlap.
All depends where in scotland you are- lots of rough open ground which crows like with plenty of carrion. Rooks tend to like more farm type land live in colonies ranging from a couple of dozen up to several hundred. Crows tend to be more solitary.
The old maxim- if you see a rook on its own then its a crow. Likewise a flock of crows are rooks!!!

I dont think you are particularly seeing more in Scotland- just you didnt see so many in Ireland!!

[warpig3]

Hmmm, interesting, I live in a town of about 8,000 just outside Edinburgh and while there is plenty of farm land and open land around, just where I live it is like something out of 'The Birds', would it be possible that they come in to feed as I dont see any evidence of nests in the taller trees?

Actually, have just been in the back garden and there is not one to be seen which is extremely weird!

There are two distinct sizes of these birds - large and small - so are they all rooks (as they are in flock) and some are mature and some are young?

Apologies for more quesitons!

thanks
warpig

[burnhal]

crows and rooks are similar sizes- ignoring the hoodies which are obvious- crows are totally black whilst rooks have a bare grey patch at the base of the beak and a grey beak. If you have small ones then they are likely Jackdaws. These can gather in large numbers - have a distinctive 'chack' call and are black but with a grey nape which is not always obvious- depending on the light.
The other members of the corvid family are Ravens- which you are unlikely to find outside Edinburgh but will find in the mountains- huge and all black -wonderful aerobatic flyers with a distinctive 'cronk' call. The chough has red legs and bill but only found in west wales and cornwall and perhaps some western scottish islands. And of course the magpie.
So I suspect you have a mixture of carrion crows, rooks and Jackdaws

[warpig3]

Thanks burnhal, there are definitely jackdaws, i regognise that flamin' 'chack' sound, they never stop. Will get the binoculars out this afternoon and have a closer inspection for markings etc.

Many thanks for the info

Cheers
warpig

[Bellringer]

A rule to tell the difference between Rooks & Crows.
If you see one Rook by its self it is a Crow,
If you see a lot of Crows together they are Rooks.

[Lonnie]

While visiting my brother in Ireland, Donegal, they had a lot of Jackdaws, first time i'd ever seen one, let alone the amount that was there.

[Cetti]

Jackdaws are absolutely fascinating to watch, warpig.

Those gorgeous blue eyes beneath a dark grey cap is enough to grab the attention, but their daily life is a joy.

They mate for life and are so devoted that if one comes to drink or eat the other will follow just to remain close, chatting all the time. Gifts of food are given to strengthen (as if they need it!) the pair bonding.

Yesterday my husband and myself were watching a pair doing a very loving synchronised dance whilst touching bills.

[warpig3]

Yes cetti, I have been watching them and they are lovely but , alas, they dont shut up!!!! Not that I am knocking them it is just that it is rather new to me.

:-0P

[Cetti]

I meant to have added that whilst four in a garden is great, a whole gang of them chattering all day might just be a bit much ;-)