Best time to see: all year

Key facts

Colonial nester of the countryside

Nest in clumps of tall trees, feeding in surrounding arable land

Widespread resident, except in the south of Essex, but declining

Recognition

All-black bird with bare face and thinnish bill; 44–47 cm

Nest in noisy permanent colonies Play

Usually feed in the fields in flocks on ground-dwelling insects, worms, snails, grain and seeds, fruit, sometimes carrion

Lifecycle

Untidy nest of sticks lined with grass and leaves, often added to each year and normally in a tall tree

One brood of 3–6 pale blue-green eggs, blotched brown, late March to April