Rook
VU

Rook

Corvus frugilegus

UnknownVUEUVUEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rook_(bird)

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Rook populations have declined significantly across much of their European range due to intensive agricultural practices that reduce invertebrate prey availability and eliminate traditional nesting sites. Modern farming methods, including increased pesticide use and the removal of hedgerows and mature trees, have fragmented suitable habitat. Climate change is altering the timing of peak invertebrate abundance, potentially disrupting the species' breeding cycle and chick-rearing success.

Threat summary

Habitat

Rooks inhabit agricultural landscapes with a mosaic of cultivated fields, grasslands, and scattered mature trees or woodlands for nesting. They require open areas for foraging on invertebrates and seeds, combined with tall trees for their characteristic colonial rookeries.

TERRESTRIAL· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Corvidae

Flores CrowEN

Flores Crow

Corvus florensis

Unknown
White-tailed JayVU

White-tailed Jay

Cyanocorax mystacalis

Unknown
Beautiful JayVU

Beautiful Jay

Cyanolyca pulchra

Unknown
Black-collared JayVU

Black-collared Jay

Cyanolyca armillata

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Rook classified as Vulnerable?
Rook is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Rook populations have declined significantly across much of their European range due to intensive agricultural practices that reduce invertebrate prey availability and eliminate traditional nesting sites. Modern farming methods, including increased pesticide use and the removal of hedgerows and mature trees, have fragmented suitable habitat. Climate change is altering the timing of peak invertebrate abundance, potentially disrupting the species' breeding cycle and chick-rearing success.
Where does Rook live?
Rook occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Rook?
The main threats to Rook are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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