top of page
Crows ('Corvids')
A group of 8 medium to large, mainly black and non-migratory species. These are social birds known for being highly intelligent.
Chough - Our rarest species of crow, clinging on at a few coastal locations down our west coast. They inhabit rocky coastal locations with short grassland in Cornwall, Wales, Isle of Man, Islay and Ireland. Unmistakable with their bright red curved bills and legs. Youngsters have orange bills and legs.
All photos taken at RSPB South Stack, Anglesey.
Carrion Crow - Everyone knows this bird as the 'crow'. Common and very widespread. Can be seen anytime and almost anywhere clearing up roadkill. True scavengers. Also known for their super intelligence, rivalling the best of the best within the animal world. Most are wary of people but a few become really quite tame, as this one was.
Hooded Crow - Closely related to the Carrion Crow but they only inhabit Scotland and Ireland. The images here were taken on Shetland, where they are widespread. In fact the Carrion Crow is rarely seen there, so it makes a nice change. Their call sounded much the same to me.
Jackdaw - A common, very social species. Once breeding is over in the Autumn they tend to congregate in large flocks and use communal roosts in large trees. We have a large flock in the trees near the end of our garden. They are distinctive having the silver/grey area at the back of their heads and pale blue eyes. They have a strong pair bonding nature. Even amongst a flock you can often clearly see each pair within.
Jay - The Jay is in many ways the odd one out of the family. For a start it's the only colourful one, not primarily black. There is no other bird to confuse with it. The metallic blue wing feathers are particularly striking and unique. These are woodland birds. Mostly very shy and difficult to approach, but like Carrion Crows a few individuals can become quite tame.
Magpie - Not a favourite bird of many. Not least for their unfortunate habit of raiding other birds nests. They are unmistakable in the UK as no other bird looks anything like them. Their long tail is very distinctive. When their plumage catches the light the blue and green hues are rather stunning.
Raven - Very similar to the Carrion Crow but quite a lot larger. It's surprising how difficult it is to judge size though, out in the field at distance. Their long wing fingers and diamond tail pattern is quite distinctive though, when soaring above. Their feathers are very glossy if you're lucky enough to get close. They have gained nicely in number and distribution in recent years, but are still primarily an upland and sea cliff specialist.
Rook - Another highly social, gregarious species, like the jackdaw. Many struggle to tell them apart from Carrion Crows, but you only have to compare their bill colour and shape. They will eat almost anything. My wife and I used to regularly stop off at Mc.Donald's Brampton (A14/A1). We'd usually be greeted by a gang of rooks that we affectionately named the 'Brampton Crew'. They'd come over and ask if we'd like to share our Big Macs with them. If disappointed they would go and trawl the litter bins instead. Always entertaining.
bottom of page