Carrion crow, jackdaw, magpie, rook and fox

The jackdaw, magpie and fox - all often considered to be pests - have not increased in recent years. The carrion crow and rook - also branded as pests - have been increasing, however.

Trends

Jackdaws, crows, magpies, rooks and foxes are often considered to be pests. Crows can damage newly sown crops and they eat the eggs of meadow birds. Foxes can prey on poultry, meadow birds and other birds that nest on the ground.

In the last ten years the carrion crow and rook have increased in numbers, the magpie has declined, but nationally the jackdaw and fox are neither increasing nor decreasing. However, in some regions the fox appears to be increasing in numbers and in others it is declining; the trends are not significant, however.