Merlin the Rook
Saturday, November 15th, 2008
This is Merlin, our resident rook who has been with us since he fell out of the nest this spring.
He completely rules the roost, putting the cats and dogs in their place and even having a go at the three peacocks!
Would love to hear from anyone else out there with a pet rook.
Update 7/12/08
There has only been one incidence of any interaction between Merlin and the wild rooks. In our garden [it being Rookery Farm] we have a pair of model plastic rooks, which have never attracted any interest from the wild rooks, nor very much from Merlin. One day back in September I heard a lot of cawing from a tree quite close to the house not normally frequented by rooks, Merlin became quite agitated, cawing quite frantically and then attacking a plastic rook viciously, climbing on its back [difficult as his feet kept slipping] and stabbing furiously at its head! The wild rooks went back to the rookery and have not attempted any further social interaction!
IBR
If you have a pet bird and are worried about it flying away and not being able to find its way back, it might be worth registering your bird with the IBR - £10 for 3 years cover. Your bird will be put on a database and will also receive a split telephone ring.
Letting your bird go
It will be very tricky dehumanising him if he is imprinted, if not impossible. Imprinted birds should under no circumstances be released.
- Firstly, it is against the law to release any imprinted animal, even wild ones. The penalty is a massive fine! We’re talking thousands!
- Secondly, it would most probably be a death sentence, a tame corvid would not last long once it started hanging around people for food or companionship, there are lots of people out there that hate corvids and will kill them if they catch them.
You will need to make a decision about his future. You could either take him to a rescue centre with others of his own kind, or you might decide to keep him youself, a big commitment, and one not to be taken lightly!
Update 20/1/09
When we came here 15 years ago we were told the terrible tale of how the baby rooks were shot out of their nests in rookery wood some time in the 60’s. The adults left and did not return for many years. When they did eventually return, they nested in the poplar trees to the west of the farmhouse and not in the wood.
At present, the main rookery continues to be located in the poplar trees with outlying nests around the garden, and usually one or two in the wood. I do not know how long there has been a rookery here, but judging by the fact that the house has always been known as Rookery Farm, The Rookery, or The Rookery Farm, and was originally built around 1700 probably a very long time indeed.
The wood is classified as ancient woodland and must have predated the farmhouse. I know arable farmers do not like rooks, but as someone with cattle and horses I regard them as the farmer’s friend. We like to make sure the pasture is grazed low in early spring and left to rest. The rooks come onto the land to feed and thoroughly cleanse the grass by eating worms and other parasites, and also harrow the droppings, saving us a job.