Rook
ExploreBirds
Rook
Corvus frugilegus
Rooks are clever birds with shiny black feathers and a distinctive ragged-looking throat. They are known for their playful nature and can often be seen in groups, making lots of noise while they play and search for food.
Habitat: Urban areas, Grasslands
Appearance
The Rook is a glossy black bird with a distinctive purple-blue sheen to its feathers. Adults have a unique pale, bare patch of skin at the base of their beak, making them different from similar crows. They also have shaggy feathers around their legs.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyCorvidaeGenusCorvus
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
21
Interesting facts
Huge flocks of Rooks gathering are called a 'parliament'!
Rook parents reuse their nests year after year, adding to them!
Rooks can drop nuts from high up to smash them open!
They sometimes steal shiny objects and hide them in their nests!
Special abilities
Ability
Tool Master
Rook can use sticks as tools because of their clever minds, helping them extract food from tight spots.
Ability
Puzzle Solver
Rook has excellent problem-solving skills that help them figure out complex ways to access hidden food.
Ability
Face Reader
Rook can recognize individual human faces that helps them remember who is kind or a threat.
Ability
Quick Learner
Rook can learn new behaviors by watching others because of their social intelligence, helping them adapt.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 45-47 cm
- Wingspan
- 81-99 cm
- Weight
- 0.35-0.55 kg
- Lifespan
- 15-20 years
- Speed
- 60 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 3-6
- Incubation
- 16-18 days
Diet & Feeding
Rooks are omnivores that eat insects, seeds, worms, and even some small animals.
Age differences: Young chicks are fed insects; adults have a broader diet.
Primary Foods
- Earthworms
- Grubs
- Grain
- Seeds
- Small Mammals
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
Eats
Common Earthworm
Lumbricus terrestris
Primary food source, dug from soil.
Eats
Common Wheat
Triticum aestivum
Feeds on grains from agricultural fields.
Eaten by
Eurasian Eagle-owl
Bubo bubo
Adult Rooks are sometimes hunted by this large owl.
Depends on
English Oak
Quercus robur
Often builds large nests high in branches of oak trees.
Traits
Feathered
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Scavenger
Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Tool Use
This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
Common RookRook Corvid
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Rooks are usually friendly, but it's best to watch them from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Rook?
Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.
How long is Rook?
45-47 cm
What is Rook's wingspan?
81-99 cm
How much does Rook weigh?
0.35-0.55 kg
How long does Rook live?
15-20 years
How fast can Rook move?
60 km/h
What does Rook eat?
Rooks are omnivores that eat insects, seeds, worms, and even some small animals.
Where is Rook usually found?
Urban areas, Grasslands
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
May 25, 2026
Fota Wildlife Parki
Photo attribution
(c) Tammy, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
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