Target Birds No 2: Black Crows (Corvus)

When targeting a number of species to see in a year roughly a hundred are regular birds that you could pick up anywhere.  Only the probability of actually seeing them will vary by each month because of their seasonal movements, breeding habits and seasonal habitat changes.

In my mind I like to deal with these species in their families, so this entry is dedicated to the “black crows” or Corvus.  In East Anglia you can easily see Rooks, Carrion Crows & Jackdaws. They all frequent the roadside verges; therefore they are good en-route ticks when you head for a site.  Specifically you will spot Rooks in large number, soon, at their nesting sites, Jackdaw are often found around rural properties, enjoying the warmth from a chimney and Carrion Crows tend to be more of a loner, but are common and can be seen feeding on the grounds almost anywhere.

Identification is all about looking at the bird’s head, as illustrated below.

East Anglia Year Count: 85

Life bird count: 399. Year bird count: 85. Month bird count: 85.

Photo: Rook (Corvus frugilegus); Jackdaw (Corvus monedula): Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)