Rook

[Ollokot]

Hi Folks,
I thought the deformity in this birds beak might be of interest, I have seen a number of these birds over the years with the same type of deformity and all seem to cope very well.

Best Wishes, Pat.

[Slipper]

That is odd, not seen that before in a crow or rook. (Never can tell the difference)

[deetheturk]

Nice captures Pat, this is a first for me glad they cope with it

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured.

[DanK]

nice capture. Weird deformity. I wonder if you have a local mutation.

[Nicks Pics]

It looks something like the finch, a crossbill! We don't use the term rook here in the U.S. We just have ravens or crows.

[Geoff F]

That is odd, not seen that before in a crow or rook. (Never can tell the difference)

I have seen it in Herring Gulls but never in a member of the crow family before.

With regard to telling them apart, John.

If you see a load of crows together, they are rooks; and a rook on its own is a crow.

A better method is to check the base of the bill. It is white in a rook but black for a crow. A crow's bill is also shorter but 'heavier' than a rook.

Which, to me, makes this a crow. But juvenile rooks lack this white patch so there is always some doubt if it might be a juvenile.

[Ollokot]

Hi Folks,
This is a juvenile Rook, we don't have the Carrion Crow in this part of the world.
Pat.