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SOURCE: http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/

 

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WoodpigeonAdult woodpigeon

Columba palumbus

The UK's largest and commonest pigeon, it is largely grey with a white neck patch and white wing patches, clearly visible in flight. Although shy in the countryside it can be tame and approachable in towns and cities. Its cooing call is a familiar sound in woodlands as is the loud clatter of its wings when it flies away.

Where does it live?

Breeding

In the wider countryside it is found on farmland with hedges, trees and copses. In towns and cities it occupies parks and gardens

Wintering

Similar to breeding habitats. Large flocks can be found out on farmland fields.

Where to see it

Found across the UK in fields and woods, and also in towns and cities where they frequent parks and gardens.

What does it eat?

Crops like cabbages, sprouts, peas and grain. Also buds, shoots, seeds, nuts and berries.

What does it sound like?

Most common call is 'coo coooo coo cu-cu'

When to see it

All year round

Similar species

stock dove,  rock dove

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RookAdult rook

Corvus frugilegus

Bare, greyish-white face, thinner beak and peaked head make it distinguishable from the carrion crow. Rooks are very sociable birds, and you’re not likely to see one on its own. They feed and roost in flocks in winter, often together with jackdaws.

Where does it live?

Breeding

Rooks prefer lowland farmland - open fields, especially grassland, and plenty of tall trees close by where they build their nests together in a rookery.

Wintering

Similar to breeding habitats

Where to see it

Rooks are most usually seen in flocks in open fields, or feeding in small groups along a roadside. They will come into town parks and villages but largely keep clear of the middle of big towns and cities. They are absent from the far north west of Scotland.

What does it eat?

Worms, grain and insects

What does it sound like?

A cawing 'kaah' call; song of squeaks and croaks

When to see it

All year round.

Similar species

carrion crow, jackdaw.

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Hooded crowAdult hooded crow

Corvus cornix

The hooded crow is closely related to the carrion crow, which until recently was regarded as the same species. In areas where the two species overlap there may be some interbreeding with hybrids showing a mixed grey and black body plumage. Like carrion crows, hoodies also feed on dead animals. Unlike crows they can be more sociable in the feeding habits and groups of them may be seen together in fields.

Where does it live?

Breeding

In the UK and Ireland, hooded crows prefer open country with scattered trees and rocky crags, moorlands, inland and coastal cliffs, woodland and forest edges, and mountains.

Wintering

Found outside breeding habitat on saltmarshes, heathland and commonland.

Where to see it

Found in N and W Scotland, N Ireland and on the Isle of Man, where it replaces the carrion crow. Outside the breeding season it is found across the breeding range and is also found, but scarce in E Scotland and even rarer down the eastern side of England. Most of the winter visitors come from Scandinavia.

What does it eat?

Omnivorous - includes carrion

What does it sound like?

A loud 'krraa'

When to see it

All year round in the breeding range. Outside this it is best looked for between October and March.

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JackdawAdult jackdaw

Corvus monedula

The jackdaw is the smallest bird in the crow family. It is black with a grey nape, pale eyes and a short, stubby bill. You tend to see several together as they are gregarious birds. They are widespread and common throughout most of the UK, except north-west Scotland. Their loud, staccato call is easy to recognise; it is a high-pitched ‘kya’ and distinctive, slightly squeaky ‘jack’. They are often aerobatic, soaring and gliding, then performing steep dives. Jackdaws naturally nest on cliffs and crags, but in towns will happily nest on buildings and chimneys. They will also use large open-fronted nestboxes. Females lay four to six eggs between April and May. They have only one brood each year. Jackdaws are reputedly very intelligent and are frequently mentioned in folklore.

What does it eat?

A varied diet including worms, insect larvae, birds' eggs and nestlings, small mammals, grain. Occasionally visit birdtables.

When will I see it?

All year round.

Where will I see it?

In gardens in the woodland area, the hedge, bird bath, nestbox, on the birdtable and lawn. Also heaths, woods, parks, sea cliffs, hedgerows and towns.

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JayAdult jay

Garrulus glandarius
AKA: Eurasian jay

Although they are the most colourful members of the crow family, jays are actually quite difficult to see. They are shy woodland birds, rarely moving far from cover. The screaming call usually lets you know a jay is about and it is usually given when a bird is on the move, so watch for a bird flying between the trees with its distinctive flash of white on the rump. Jays are famous for their acorn feeding habits and in the autumn you may see them burying acorns for retrieving later in the winter.

Where does it live?

Breeding

Jays like broad-leaved and coniferous woodland with adequate protective habitat. Oak, beech and hornbeam woods are favourites, and smaller thicket and spinney may be used. It is moving into more suburban areas where there are mature trees - parks, cemeteries and gardens.

Wintering

Similar to breeding habitats.

Where to see it

Found across the UK, but only in southern Scotland. Lives in both deciduous and coniferous woodland, parks and mature gardens. Likes oak trees in autumn when there are plenty of acorns. Often seen flying across a woodland glade giving its screeching call. and it becomes more obvious in autumn when it may fly some distance in the open in search of acorns.

What does it eat?

Acorns, nuts, seeds and insects.

What does it sound like?

A harsh screeching call

When to see it

All year round, but often more obvious in autumn when they travel most in search of acorns, beech mast and hazelnuts to bury.

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MagpieAdult magpie

Pica pica
AKA: Black-billed magpie (N America)

Magpies seem to be jacks of all trades – scavengers, predators and pest-destroyers, their challenging, almost arrogant attitude has won them few friends. With its noisy chattering, black-and-white plumage and long tail, there is nothing else quite like the magpie in the UK. When seen close-up its black plumage takes on an altogether more colourful hue with a purplish-blue iridescent sheen to the wing feathers, and a green gloss to the tail. Non-breeding birds will gather together in flocks.

Where does it live?

Breeding

They are found in many habitats - woodland, farmland, moorland, parks and gardens - though they prefer grassland with thick hedges or scattered trees. They have adapted well to urban and suburban environments and can be seen right into the centres of cities.

Wintering

Similar to breeding habitats.

Where to see it

Found across England, Wales and N Ireland, but more localised in Scotland, absent from the Highlands. Seen in a range of habitats from lowland farmland to upland moors.

What does it eat?

Omnivore and scavenger.

What does it sound like?

Harsh chattering and chacking calls.

When to see it

All year round.

 

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