Identification
A short-tailed, pointed-winged bird with seasonally changing dark plumage. Adults can show glossy colours, pale spotting and a yellow bill; juveniles are plain brown.
When to look
Resident and migratory populations mix across Europe. Flock sizes and roost use change with season and food supply.
Where to look
Open feeding ground near cavities is useful in the breeding season. Reedbeds, trees and structures can provide communal roosts later.
Behaviour and ecology
Food and nutrition
Both animal and plant food are taken. Invertebrates are especially important when adults feed young.
Breeding and life cycle
A nest is built inside a cavity in a tree or suitable structure. Nest boxes can also be used.
A closer look
Age and feather wear create a large visual change through the year. The same species can look spotted, glossy or almost plain brown.
Global conservation assessment
LC · Least Concern
Global category recorded from the linked assessment; it does not describe local abundance. Least Concern does not mean absence of threats.
View the source assessment ↗Observation and photography
Watch flocks and calls from established viewpoints. Do not deliberately startle a roost to create a dramatic flock photograph.
Sources and further reading
Keep a distance that allows birds to feed and rest normally. Do not enter colonies, approach nests, flush roosts or use playback for photographs. Never publish precise nest locations of sensitive species. Follow reserve rules and your guide's advice.