Differences between Rook and Swan

Rook and Swan are two classes of birds that belong to the Corvidae and Anatidae families respectively.

Rook is a Eurasian bird that resembles the Crow. It has black plumage with purple sheen in addition to bushy feathers on its thighs. The bill is sharp and slightly curved. The legs are black with three forward and one backward toe. The bird differs from Crow and other members of the family by the white bare skin at the base of its bill. It is however as intelligent as other species of the Corvidae family. It can solve puzzles, plan in advance, build and apply tools, mimic human vocabulary, and display sophisticated behavior. The Rook family consists of two sub-species, namely, the Western Rook and the Eastern Rook.

Swans are intelligent, graceful, large birds belonging to the waterfowl genus. They have a long neck, big feet, and an orange-colored strong beak. Their eyesight is sharp and their auditory capacity is robust. They are also capable of producing a variety of sounds. Swans living in the northern hemisphere are known to have pure white plumage, while those in the southern hemisphere have a combination of white and black plumage.

Where are Rook and Swan found?

Rooks prefer open grasslands, agricultural fields, and pastures with ample tall trees for breeding. The birds can be found in the fringes of towns and cities. Rooks exist in the UK, Ireland, Iran, northern and central Europe, parts of Asia, and New Zealand.

Swans live near waterbodies like sluggish rivers, marshes, shallow ponds, and quiet lakes. The need an expanse of water or flat land to take off and land. The northern hemisphere is home to about five species of Swans, while there is one species each in South America and Australia.

What do Rook and Swan eat?

Rooks are omnivores. They dig into agricultural fields for insects, larvae, and worms. They also eat beetles, larger insects, mice, small birds, eggs, seeds, grains, carrion, and food waste thrown away by humans.

Swans are mostly herbivorous. They eat a variety of aquatic vegetation besides grazing on fields. While pecking food from waterbeds, the birds may also swallow molluscs, small fish, frogs, algae, beetles, insects, and worms.

Here are a few pointers about the eating patterns between Rook and Swan

• Both Rook and Swan eat Fish.
• Both Rook and Swan eat Frogs.
• Rook do eat Lizards while Swan may not eat Lizards.
• Rook do eat Snakes while Swan may not eat Snakes.
• Rook do eat Turtles while Swan may not eat Turtles.
• Rook do eat Squirrels while Swan may not eat Squirrels.
• Gophers are commonly eaten by Rook while Swan do not eat Gophers.
• Baby Ducks are commonly eaten by Rook while Swan do not eat Baby Ducks.
• Rook do eat Mice while Swan may not eat Mice.

Size of Rook and Swan?

When it comes to size, Rooks are 1.4-1.5 feet long. They have a wingspan of three feet.. Swans are the largest among waterfowls and have huge bodies. They are usually about four feet tall and measure around five feet from the bill to their tail. Their wingspan could be 8-10 feet wide. The Trumpeter Swan of Canada and western USA is the biggest of Swan species with a height of 5.5 feet and a wingspan of 10 feet.

The average weight of Rooks is 11.99-18.69 ounces. while The average weight of an adult Swan is 15-30 pounds. The males weigh heavier at 24-28 pounds, while the females weigh 21-23 pounds. The Trumpeter Swan is the heaviest among Swan species at around 30 pounds.

Where do Rook and Swan nest?

Rooks build large nests in colonies that are known as rookeries. They are constructed with twigs and lined with mud, moss, leaves, grass, hair, and wool. The nests stand freely on tall trees. Both male and female partners involve themselves in the construction of the nests. In some instances, they use old nests from previous years. The eggs are greenish white and sometimes have dark spots on them. They are about four centimeters long. The mother Rook incubates the eggs for 16-18 days. During this time, she does not leave the nest and gets fed by her partner. After the eggs hatch, both partners take turns to feed the young ones. The chicks fledge when they are four weeks old but continue to secure food from the parents for more time.

Swans generally build their nests in shallow and uncontaminated waters where there is sufficient food supply. The nests are closer to the shore and could either float on water or remain on marshes. They are usually made of dried grass, sticks, and plant material. The partners usually take two to five weeks to build the nest. The blue-grey eggs are incubated by both the male and female. They hatch after 35-41 days of laying. The young ones, known as cygnets, will be able to run and swim within few hours after hatching. Nevertheless, they also ride on the backs of their parents and fledge when they are four to five months old.

How long do Rook and Swan live?

The average lifespan of Rooks is five to 10 years. However, through bird banding it has been observed that some Rooks live up to 20 years.

Swans live for about 9-12 years in the wild, where they face several threats like predators, lead poisoning, fishing net injuries, electric poles, and flying accidents. However, in captivity Swans can live up to 30 years. The longest-lived Swan was a Mute Swan, which died at the age of 40 years in 2009 in Denmark.

Are Rook or Swan migratory birds?

The migration of Rooks depends on their location. The ones living in the southern hemisphere are mostly residents. The birds in the north relocate to the south during winters. They migrate in large flocks along with other species from their family, especially the Jackdaws. They return to their rookeries at the onset of spring. Rooks from northern parts of Europe and Asia migrate to southern Asia, western Europe, and the Middle East for wintering.

Most species of Swans migrate during winters in search of food sources. Some species in the wild do not migrate at all. The Mute Swans of Europe do not migrate or only travel short distances. The Whooper Swan, also from Europe, is a migratory species that starts travelling in September-October. The Trumpeter Swans migrate during winters from North America to warmer regions. The Bewick’s Swan migrates from Russia to western Europe and eastern Asia. The Australian Black Swan migrates within the country depending on climatic conditions.

Do Rook and Swan fly in flocks?

A flock of Rooks is known as parliament, building, or clamor. Rooks are the most sociable in the Corvidae family. They are always spotted in large groups. They forage in flocks and use various vocalization to communicate. The birds are also known to play amongst themselves. In addition, Rooks sleep in big groups and nest together in large colonies.

A group of Swans is called a bevy or herd. Swans are sociable and flock together. They congregate in fields when some of the Swans find a food source. However, they follow a pecking order, where the senior birds must be revered highly. A group of Swans can sometimes be very noisy, making different types of sounds. Swans also migrate together, sometimes in gatherings of up to a 100.

Are Rook or Swan protected?

Rooks are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act in the UK. However, they can be killed with a permit to protect crops and livestock, and for the safety of aircrafts. Similar laws exist in other parts of Europe and Asia.

Swans are not protected in the USA as they are not native to the land. The birds can be hunted with a legal permit. The Mute Swans in the UK are all owned by the Queen and protected from killing. Hunting and killing of Swans is not allowed in several parts of Europe. Some Japanese Swans are protected under the International Treaty for Conservation. Similarly, Black Swans are protected in Australia under the National Parks and Wildlife Acts.

Are Rook or Swan endangered?

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified Rooks as species of least concern. The birds are not endangered. They exist in millions in their territorial countries.

The Trumpeter Swans were close to extinction in the USA in 1935. However, their population has recovered in the national parks. They are no longer considered endangered. The Bewick’s Swans of northwestern Europe are encountering a decline in population, probably due to climate change. Swans are believed to have existed in large numbers in India but are extinct now. A lone Mute Swan was however spotted in the state of Gujarat in 2022.

Can Rook and Swan fly?

Rooks typically fly in large flocks. They keep their wings stiff during direct flights. They sometimes soar high in the company of Jackdaws. They fly at a speed of 32-45 miles an hour during migration.

Swans are the fastest flying waterfowls. They need a large area of water or ground to take off and land. They fly with their necks stretched out, while beating their wings slowly. They can clock speeds of 18-30 miles an hour, and fly at altitudes of 6,000-8,000 feet. The birds are known to fly several hundreds of miles a day during migration, when they fly in groups through diagonal or V formations. Baby Swans start flying when they are about six months old. The Mute Swan is the fastest of all Swan species as it can fly at a speed of 50 miles an hour.

Can Rook and Swan swim?

Rooks do not have webbed feet like waterbirds. Their body is not adaptable for swimming.

Swans are also remarkable swimmers. They have strong webbed feet that enable them to swim at good speeds. The Mute Swan is the fastest swimming Swan species. It can achieve speeds of 1.6 miles an hour.

Mating patterns among Rook and Swan

Rooks generally start mating when they are two years old. The male Rook sets the ground for courtship by bowing to the female, swinging his tail, and crouching his wings. He will also fetch food for her. The female will bow in return, ruffle her wings, and spread out her tail in acceptance. The partners caress each other’s bill and sing while mating. They are likely to be assaulted by other male birds. The female lays three to four eggs every breeding season. She takes the responsibility of incubating the eggs while the male fetches food for her. Once the eggs hatch, the partners feed the young ones during nesting and even for few weeks after fledging.

Swans start mating when they are four to seven years old, although they are likely to find a partner by the time they are two years old. Courtship involves partners staring at each other, nodding their heads while facing one another, and beating their wings instantaneously. The partners usually lock their necks while mating. The female lays up to seven eggs, although not all at once. Both partners involve themselves in the construction of nests and incubation of eggs. The male is more aggressive in protecting the eggs and little ones from predators.

When is the mating season for Rook and Swan ?

The mating season for Rooks is March-June. The migratory birds return to their territories when spring sets in.

Mating among Swans may occur at any time of the year. However, in the northern hemisphere, the breeding season is generally from March to May each year. It is May-September in the southern hemisphere.

Do Rook and Swan mate for life?

Rooks are monogamous and generally mate for life. Nevertheless, there may be instances of bigamy. A nest could be used by multiple females.

Swans are monogamous birds. They stay together throughout their lives. However, when one of them dies, the surviving partner may find a new partner.

How do Rook and Swan sleep?

Rooks spend the nights in enormous flocks. As the sun sets, a noisy group of birds return to roosting sites. They sleep on branches in woodlands or even settle down in their rookeries. At daybreak, the birds disperse in different directions in search of food.

Swans can sleep both on land and water, but they mostly sleep in water to avoid attacks from predators. While in water, they can sleep while standing on one or both legs. They can also sleep while floating on water by tucking their heads below their wings. The younger Swans generally sleep on the backs of their parents to keep themselves safe and warm.

Can Rook and Swan be eaten?

Rooks are said to be consumed largely during the second world war. People still consume them in a gravy. The Rook pie recipe is much acclaimed. Although consumption of scavenging birds is not desired, people are not averse to Rook meat. The meat of young Rooks is said to be more delectable than that of adult Rooks.

Swans were a delicacy in ancient times. However, in modern era, they are allowed to be eaten only in a few places. In the UK, only the Royals can eat the Mute Swans. In the USA, some people eat them as hunting the bird with permits is allowed. Swans are also eaten in Denmark.

Can you hunt Rook or Swan?

Shooting young Rooks was a sport in the UK in earlier years. This served the purpose of sport, pest control, and hunting for meat. Rooks are known as agricultural pests. Killing them with with a license is permitted in most parts of the world as they destroy livestock and crops. They also rummage waste bins and cause health hazards to humans.

Hunting Swans was common in medieval times when eating their meat was a felicity. Owning Swans in Europe was also a mark of dignity. However, conservation laws in many countries no longer allow hunting of Swans. In some countries like the USA, hunting is allowed only with legal permit.

Can you feed Rook or Swan?

Rooks are not picky eaters. They can be given worms, insects, meat, berries, and fruits.

Feeding Swans in public is not permitted in some countries. In the UK, citizens are requested to not feed the birds with bread as it is leading to ill-health among the birds. Swans are largely herbivores. Feeding them cookies, pastries, and bread will cause health hazards like digestive and reproductive problems. At the zoos, Swans are given leaves, lettuce, carrots, cabbage, and potatoes. They are also allowed to graze on grass.