creepers, crows, starlings, nuthatch

Sturnus vulgaris (body 22 cm) Starling Summer plumage is glossy black with brown flecks and an iridescent sheen. The yellow beak has a blue base in males and a pink base in females. The legs are pinkish-brown. The winter plumage lacks the iridescence and is spotted white. Form huge flocks whilst feeding and roosting. Found in most habitats including towns, generally not in mountainous areas. Widespread and common, though declining. Image taken at Parents house, Prestatyn, Denbighshire .

Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax (body 37 cm) - Chough Distinctive crow with slender red beak and red legs, otherwise black. Found on rocky mountainous coastal cliffs often swooping in the air current. Uncommon in the UK, loccalised to areas of Cornwall, Pembrokeshire coast and Holyhead. Image taken at Marloes, Pembrokeshire .

Corvus monedula (body 33 cm) Jackdaw Generally black with a grey crown, neck and upper breast. Eye is very pale blue. Found in open woodland, parks, farmland and towns. Nests in old trees and ruined buidlings as colonies. Widespread and common. Image taken at Slimbridge WWT, near Gloucester, Gloucestershire .

Corvus frugilegus (body 45 cm) Rook Black plumage with distinctive white beak. Nests colonially in trees known as a 'rookery'. Feeds in large flocks often with Jackdaws. Found in areas of arable farming with adjacent woodland for nesting and roosting. Widespread and common. Image taken at Marwell zoo, near Winchester, Hampshire .

Certhia familiaris (body 12 cm) Treecreeper Upperparts are dark brown with white flecks, and white underparts. White eye-stripe. Downcurved beak. Creeps up trees hence its name. Found in woodland, favouring coniferous woodland. Widespread but usually not numerous. Image taken at Martin Down, near Salisbury, Wiltshire .

Pica pica (body 45 cm) Magpie Characteristic pied appearance is distinctive. Found in woodland, parks, farmland, heath, scrub and large gardens. Widespread and common. Image taken at River Avon, Salisbury, Wiltshire . Images are of an adult (left) and juvenile (right)

Corvus corone corone (body 45 cm; wingspan 100 cm) Carrion crow Enitrely black crow. Smaller than the Raven and the feather covering on the beak is not as long. Found in open countryside, towns and parks. Widespread and common. Image taken at River Avon, Salisbury, Wiltshire .

Sitta europaea (body 15 cm) Nuthatch Distinctive plumage; greyish-blue upperparts with orange underparts. Black eye-stripe and white throat. Relatively long beak. Found in deciduous woodland and parks. Widespread and locally common. Image taken at Eyemouth Pond, Fritham, New Forest, Hampshire .

Corvus corax (body 67 cm; wingspan 130 cm) Raven Large black crow with distinctive heavy bill. Nests on cliff-ledges or trees in inaccessible areas. Found in mountainous areas and coastal cliffs. Local but making a comeback across the UK. Image taken at Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire .