The Rook is one of the larger members of the Crow family and they nest in treetop colonies. Rooks are similar in size and appearance to crows, apart from their beak and face, which can be very white, long and quite pointed. As well as treetops, Rooks are often found in the fields around Wallington, feeding in the grass.

This Rook had me puzzled. It's been hanging around the bird feeders at the Wildlife Hide for a while (easy food!). When I first saw it I thought "Rook" then when I looked more closely I though no, it's a Crow. Studying the books, I see that it is in fact a juvenile Rook. It's not yet developed the pale face around the bill, but its bill is longer and paler than a Crow's. There is also a pronounced "bump' of basal bristles (the hair at the top of its bill) which indicates Rook. The bill is starting to look a bit 'crusty' too and crows usually have smooth bills.