Crows
Here's a list of all the UK Crows:
Rook
Rooks, a part of the crow family, are easily identifiable by their striking black plumage, which gleams blue or purple in sunlight. Adults are notable for their whitish, featherless face area, making them distinct from other crows.
These birds, weighing between 280 to 340 grams, boast a wingspan of 81 to 99 cm, with their wing shape being longer and narrower compared to the carrion crow.
Differences Between Male And Female Rooks
Male and female rooks are similar in appearance, with subtle differences hard to discern from a distance. Both genders share the same glossy black feathers and the characteristic pale face.
However, upon closer observation, females may appear slightly smaller, and their plumage might have a less vibrant sheen.
Learn moreCommon Raven
The Common Raven is a large, all-black bird, known for its size and unique characteristics. Measuring 60-68 cm in length with a wingspan of 120-150 cm, it is one of the largest members of the crow family.
Its glossy black plumage and wedge-shaped tail make it unmistakable.
Differences Between Male And Female Common Ravens
Males and females are similar in appearance, making it challenging to distinguish between them based solely on physical characteristics. However, males are generally larger with a more robust build.
Learn moreMagpie
Magpies are striking birds with their glossy white and black plumage and long tails. They possess an iridescent sheen, with wing feathers revealing a blue and purplish hue and their tails boasting a green sheen.
Differences Between Male And Female Magpies
Male and female Magpies are similar in appearance, making them difficult to differentiate in the field.
Learn moreJay
Jays, the most colourful members of the crow family, are recognisable for their distinctive plumage.
They exhibit a mix of cream, buff, brown, grey, pink/purple, blue, black, and white feathers. A notable feature is the bright blue panel on their upper wing. Their size is comparable to a blackbird, with a length of 34-35 cm and a wingspan of 52-58cm.
Differences Between Male And Female Jays
Male and female Jays display similar plumage and are challenging to differentiate in the field. However, juveniles can be identified by their darker eyes and slightly less vibrant plumage compared to adults.
Learn moreJackdaw
Jackdaws are the smaller, more delicate relatives of crows, characterised by their sleek black plumage with a distinctive silvery sheen at the back of their head.
Their most striking feature is their pale eyes, contrasting vividly against their dark feathers. They are known for their agile flight and adaptability to various environments.
Differences Between Male And Female Jackdaws
Male and female Jackdaws appear very similar, with both sporting the species’ characteristic grey and black feathering. However, juveniles can be distinguished by their darker eyes and slightly duller brownish plumage compared to adults.
Learn moreHooded Crow
Hooded Crows, or ‘hoodies’ as they’re affectionately known, stand out with their contrasting grey and black feathers. These birds, part of the Corvus genus, showcase an ashy grey body set against a black head, wings, and tail. You can spot them by their dark brown irises and sleek black beaks.
Differences Between Male And Female Hooded Crows
Male and female Hooded Crows are almost identical in appearance, with the main distinction being size – males are generally larger. Apart from this, both sexes share the same striking plumage.
Learn moreChough
Choughs, part of the crow family, are easily distinguishable with their jet-black feathers.
Unique among crows, they sport striking red bills and legs. These birds are expert fliers, often seen performing impressive aerial acrobatics like diving and swooping.
Adult Choughs typically measure 39-40 cm in length, with a wingspan between 73-90cm, and weigh around 260-350g.
Differences Between Male And Female Choughs
Male and female Choughs are similar in appearance, making visual differentiation challenging. Both sexes share the same distinctive black plumage, red bill, and red legs.
Learn moreCarrion Crow
Carrion Crows boast an impressive, glossy black coat that gleams under sunlight. These birds are medium-sized with a robust build, sporting a wingspan of 92 – 105cm and weighing between 365 – 655g.
Their sharp, slightly hooked black bill is adept at handling a variety of foods, from seeds to small animals. The distinct orange-yellow eyes, encircled by black feathers, give them a striking appearance.
Differences Between Male And Female Carrion Crows
Male and female Carrion Crows are similar in size and colour, making them difficult to distinguish by appearance alone. Both genders share the same sleek black plumage and intense yellow-eyed gaze.
Learn more