What they like

Peace and space. Large contiguous forests, heathland, dunes, salt marshes and open farmland with the occasional tall tree or a woodland edge. Give it lookouts: leave dead branches and a few sturdy, old trees standing. In a park or garden: less tidy, more rough. Think hedgerow, messy corner, brush pile.

Ecological importance

A cleaner with brains. Eats carrion, insects, mice, grains, fruit and anything loose. Clears up carcasses and rubbish and so keeps things tidy. Is sometimes prey for a goshawk or eagle owl, but most of the time it’s the boss of the sky.

When in the Netherlands

All year round. Breeds early, often from February. You hear it first: a deep “kroak”, only then do you see that large black shadow.

Status

Native. Rare but making a comeback, especially on the Veluwe and in other quiet nature areas.