We're asking everyone to keep their eyes peeled for an unwelcome flying visitor in the top of the south – the Rook – after a recent sighting of one in Stoke.
We had reports of a single bird arriving here last year, but were never able to verify the sightings. These birds can be very mobile and very hard to track. They are an exclusion pest in the RPMP, and we need to catch this one to prevent population establishment here.
Rooks are a noticeably large glossy black crow-like bird that grows up to 450mm in length. They have a distinctive grey bill with a pale area at the base of the beak. Rook populations are controlled in New Zealand and tend to avoid humans. However, they prey on introduced and native species, including small and ground nesting birds, lizards and invertebrates and eat birds’ eggs.
They have also been known to peck out and eat the eyes of living sheep and lambs that are immobile as a result of disease or restraint. Rooks are also an agricultural pest, damaging pasture and feeding on newly sown crops.
Rooks have a distinctive harsh call, check it out here(external link).
If you see this bird, please call us immediately on 03 543 8400.