Whilst at Venus Pool NR Friday eve after work, I noticed 2 rooks were staying fairly close to one another, and every so often, they would hold beaks.... remain like this for a few seconds, then continue scavenging.
I took a couple of pics to show this (it was a bit dark!)
and again
Neither bird looks like a juvenile, so I don't think this is feeding. It looks as though one closes their beak over the other's.
Are rooks monogamous? Could this be a 'bond strengthening' thing? Or is is down to hierarchy? One being submissive to the other by allowing his beak to be clasped shut? There were no other signs of agression which makes me lean more towards the 'bonding' theory!
Would love to hear your thoughts!
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Hi MarJus
How fascinating... I have absolutely no idea, never seen this sort of behaviour before so will be as interested as you in the explanation.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Hi MarJus - Rooks apparently prefer to mate for life so maybe you are right in your assumption and they are re-asserting their bond between each other. I was at v.p. today and there were plenty of Rooks but no special behaviour patterns noticed! I'm sure someone will have the complete answer.
Hello Marjus. We sometimes get rooks coming to our garden, altough I've never noticed behaviour shown in the pictures you posted. Knowing now that rooks like to pair up for life, I'd also guess that the birds were simply reasserting a bond.
Paul
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Heron77 said: Hello Marjus. We sometimes get rooks coming to our garden, altough I've never noticed behaviour shown in the pictures you posted. Knowing now that rooks like to pair up for life, I'd also guess that the birds were simply reasserting a bond. Paul
I agree Paul, rooks are very sociable birds and so reinforcing the bonds through feeding behaviour such as this will be perfectly normal thing to witness. It is still likely that a few juveniles will be out and about begging for food from the parents no doubt!
Thanks everyone for your replies! It's interesting to learn all about the behaviours you see!
Kissing corvids! Wonderful!
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