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NZ Ex Games
The Hit List

Verified public Target identity

land · fauna

Rook

Corvus frugilegus

What

Rook is recorded by a competent New Zealand authority as an introduced, invasive or managed threat subject. Source context (Environment Canterbury): Rooks are large black corvids about 40–45 cm long, with a violet-blue glossy sheen to the feathers. Adult rooks have pale bare skin around the base of the bill; juveniles may lack this obvious bare patch. They have a long pointed bill and often occur in open farmland, pasture, crops, orchards, and plantations. New Zealand; strongest direct source is Canterbury. Corvus frugilegus. Juveniles can be harder to distinguish; a formal comparison with Australian magpie, raven/crow-like birds, and blackbird is not supplied. Evidence limitation: Comparative confusion-species detail.

Why

The source identifies ecological, biosecurity or habitat risks that make this subject relevant to NZ Ex Games intelligence.

Where

Distribution and current presence are place-specific and must be established from current authoritative or verified evidence.

Established knowledge

For consequential field decisions, consider the knowledge state and cited sources for each claim, and consult authoritative guidance where appropriate. Information and reliance terms

50% reference coverage — not scientific certainty or ecological progress
  • Identification
  • NZ status
  • Ecological impact
  • Sources

Open knowledge

These are parts of the public picture that could become clearer with better evidence.

  • Distribution
  • Visual clues
  • Confusion species
  • Regional intelligence
Sources & credits
Prepare related field media

Field observations

Field observations connect sightings and signs with a place, time and source. They can support evidence after review. This dossier does not accept public submissions.

No field observations are published for this Target.

Commentary

Local experience, corrections and context help explain the public record. Commentary is not verified knowledge. This dossier does not accept public comments.

No commentary is published for this Target.

Questions and Missions

What can the sources tell us, and what still needs evidence? Explore dossier discoveries and research questions to understand this Target. Research leads identify knowledge gaps; they are not field assignments.

Explore Missions and Hunt mode for Rook
  • Where is rook currently established or emerging in New Zealand?Research question · evidence needed
  • What evidence distinguishes current ecological impact from presence alone for rook?Research question · evidence needed

Shout Out

Shout Out

Share this record so others can explore the same question, place or ecological work. The link keeps its context and sources together.

Rook — The Hit List — NZ Ex Games

Canonical link

/hit-list/pest-rook
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