Jackdaw
Corvus monedula
33-34cm
Appearance of the Jackdaw
The Jackdaw is mostly black, with a hint of dark-grey in the plumage, and a subtle purple iridescence on the back and head. The eye is grey, the legs black, the bill short, and there’s a grey hood. Sexes resemble one another, but the colouring of the male’s hood is less distinct. Juveniles are browner than adults, and the hood is less obvious.
Jackdaw Habitat
The Jackdaw’s habitat is varied, including woods, farms, parks, cliffs by the sea, and in towns. Regularly found feeding on arable land alongside livestock or scavenging on strandlines.
Character
Most commonly seen in pairs, and the pairs remain together even after joining flocks of other species. The Jackdaw is nimble in the air, with aerobatic twists and dives around cliffs. Stores food when in excess, and roosts communally.
What does the Jackdaw eat?
Diet includes invertebrates, young birds, grain, seeds, fruits and eggs. As a scavenger, the Jackdaw is a flexible eater, and may also be attracted by bird feeders.
Jackdaw Breeding
Nests in caves or crevices. Female lays 4 or 5 eggs which she incubates for 18-20 days. Male and female tend to the young, which depart the nest at about 30-33 days, but continue to finesse their flying skills.
Population
Many Jackdaws are resident birds of the region, however there is also a visiting European population which arrives in autumn. Resident birds don’t travel far, and usually only travel to avoid the weather of upland areas leading up to winter. Approximately 1.4 million pairs live in the UK and 100 000-250 000 in Ireland.
Observation Tips for the Jackdaw
The grey hood is a handy indicator of this species, though they shouldn’t be hard to find. To view them as they tumble and soar around sea cliffs is a stunning show. Some birds become quite tolerant of humans in populated areas.
Voice
Has a ‘chack’ call, and a louder ‘ke-ow’.
Back to Bird Index