All about rooks

Colin Smale looks at the life and habits of one of the most gregarious species of the crow family.

Is there any sound more distinctive in an English village than the raucous calls from a rookery?

Rooks are a familiar sight in many a Lincolnshire village, often congregating in large colonies called rookeries.

These highly intelligent and sociable birds, with their black plumage, greyish-white faces, and distinctive cawing calls, add a unique charm to rural life, marking each passing year with their boisterous springtime activities.

Rooks thrive in Lincolnshire’s patchwork landscape where fields, hedgerows, and ancient woodlands provide the perfect mix of foraging and nesting sites. They are often spotted in small groups, probing the ground for worms, insects, seeds, and other morsels.

Unlike their close relatives, the carrion crows, rooks are rarely solitary and exhibit strong communal behaviour.

What is the immediate difference between the two species? Rooks have ‘trousers’ (longer leg feathers) and carrion crows do not.

A rook’s life
The centrepiece of rook life is of course the rookery, typically located in tall trees near villages or farms, sometimes alongside the village church, which allows me to photograph them from above.

These colonies bustle with activity, especially during the breeding season. Visitors to the village won’t fail to notice the loud, raucous chatter as the birds reinforce their bonds, defend nesting sites, and feed their young.

Rook nests, constructed from twigs and lined with softer materials such as horsehair or sheep’s wool picked off a barbed wire fence, are a testament to the birds’ ingenuity and teamwork especially when the wind blows!

Rooks hold a special place in the cultural fabric of our English villages. Their presence is steeped in folklore, with some believing their flight patterns forecast weather changes. While rooks are admired for their wit and adaptability, they are sometimes viewed as disturbers of the peace with their noisy gatherings.

Today, rooks are a vital part of rural ecosystems, aiding in pest control and seed dispersal. For example, rooks often collect acorns, beech nuts, and chestnuts. These seeds are buried and can sprout into new trees if left undisturbed.

Their social habits and communal living reflect the spirit of the countryside, where tradition and togetherness are cherished. For those who pause to watch and listen, rooks offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of English village life, blending nature’s resilience with a touch of mystery.

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