Rook
Corvus frugilegus
The rook, found in limited numbers even in Finland, is related to the common crow. Rooks are slightly smaller than crows, adult birds’ plumage is glossy black with a metallic sheen, and they have a whitish featherless area at the base of the beak. Rooks live and nest in noisy communities. Like other species of the crow family, rooks are intelligent and quick to learn.
Conservation
Rooks have adapted to living in close proximity to humans on farmland and in urban parks and gardens. Due to changes in agricultural practices and the damage rooks cause to crops, the species has been persecuted and its population in Europe has declined. On the other hand, rooks are effective predators of pests and small rodents, so they are also beneficial for farmland.
The species is protected in Finland.
Korkeasaari Zoo
The rook living in Korkeasaari Zoo is a former patient of the Wildlife Hospital.
Endangerment
Endangerment in Finland
Distribution
Habitat
Diet
Size
Lifespan
Up to 10–20 years
Breeding
Mature at 1–2 years of age
Breeding season from April to June
Lays 2–7 eggs; incubation period of 16–18 days
Able to fly at around 4 weeks of age
Scientific classification
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Did you know?
The pair stays together and uses the same nest year after year, repairing and improving the stick nest each spring.