Rook
Rook Corvus frugilegus Castilian: Graja Catalan: Graula Gallego: Gralla grande Euskera: Ipar-belea CLASIFICACIÓN: Orden: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae Migratory status: Permanent resident CONSERVATION STATUS: In the 2004 edition of the Red Book of Spanish Birds (Libro Rojo de las Aves de España) it is listed as “Vulnerable”.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. listen song THREATS There are very few pairs and they are threatened by agricultural intensification, pesticides and the loss of large trees due to the cutting down of poplar groves where they normally make their nests. |
Length / size: 41-77 cm / 81-94 cm Identification: Medium-sized crow with black plumage and bright iridescent parts. It can be distinguished by the bare greyish part of its face around its long and pointy bill. Song: It is gregarious and very noisy. It primarily makes cawing noises, "giaah" and sequences derived from that sound, "grah-grah-grah". Diet: It feeds on all kinds of invertebrates, in addition to seeds, fruits, scraps, and occasionally small vertebrates. Reproduction: They form colonies that can reach hundreds of pairs. In February they locate their nest in a very high area and build it using branches, roots and wool. The female performs incubation and, later, both the male and female participate in feeding the chicks. HABITAT It occupies open areas, with a preference for farming areas near rivers with tall trees. DISTRIBUTION In Spain: It is only present in the central and southeastern parts of the province of León. In Castile and León: It is concentrated around León and La Bañeza. It is located between the city of León, the River Esla, the River Órbigo, and the Páramo region in the centre. Movements and migrations: The Iberian population is considered sedentary, but the European populations primarily winter in Turkey, Greece and France. POPULATION In Spain: There is an estimated population of 2000 breeding pairs. In Castile and León: There is an estimated population of 2000 breeding pairs. | |