On my walk this evening, the Rooks nesting in two tall Scots pines were making a tremendous noise. One of my bird guidebooks describes Rooks calls as "around the nest, deep "comfortable" caws and croaks; typical "craa-craa-craa". Frequent, loud and far-carrying high "crroo-crroo-crroo, choked trumpeting notes, musical squeaks and squeals; deep mechanical wooden rattle in flight" - which is varied for sure!
The naturalist Sir John Lister-Kaye has studied Rooks at his home near Beauly for many years and has identified nearly 30 different types of call made by these fascinating birds, most linked to specific behaviours or situations.
What was happening this evening appeared to be more dispute than comfort calls, and stopping to watch soon revealed the source of the commotion. Whenever a bird or pair left the nest, one particular bird seemed determined to steal sticks from their nest for its own nest. The outraged owners would snatch back the stick and the whole process would start again. Whatever the purpose of this behaviour, it was certainly entertaining for a human!
Very intelligent birds. After a large storm a few years ago that brought down many tall mature trees in a local park where rooks had nests it was almost as if they were in mourning. Still vocal but acting in a very different way to their normal calls and flight movements. Even from a distance you could tell something had really upset them yet all the nests and trees were still intact in that part.
ReplyDeleteThat's really interesting Bob; Sir John Lister-Kaye mentions just such behaviour and vocalisation in one of his books, a call and body position he associated with loss, which sounds just what you're describing. Great birds, and such a part of the farmland scene
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