Jackdaws

Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)

The smallest member of the corvid family, and one of my favourite birds. Highly intelligent, and social, the jackdaw is one of very few animals who can recognise individual humans. Others with this ability include magpies, pigeons, and chimpanzees.

Jackdaws are identifiable by their silvery grey head and pale white iris. Juvenile birds have black heads and blue-grey eyes. Their irises change to brown in their first winter, and white once they gain adult plumage. Jackdaws are known for their devotion to their partner, and often pair for life – life expectancy is around 5 years. They have been observed to form devoted same sex partnerships, as well as female/male pairings.

There are around 1.5 million breeding pairs in the UK, who live here all year. Widespread around the world, the jackdaw is found across Europe, North Africa, and into Asia. A small number of jackdaws made their way to north east America in the 1990s, where they have remained.

Breeding

With the arrival of spring, we’ve entered nesting and breeding season. The birds are busy building, and preparing to lay eggs. Nests tend to be constructed in tree cavities, and in and around buildings (such as chimneys). The jackdaw approach to nest-building is somewhat haphazard. Materials are dropped into spaces, such as chimney pots, and the birds continue to drop bits until some become wedged. These form the platform on which the nest is constructed. Jackdaws build the nest to fit the available space. The largest nest on record was found in an attic, and measured 3 feet high, and 8 feet wide.

The clutch comprises 4-5 eggs, and the birds usually have one brood each year. Eggs are incubated by the female for about 17 days, and the young emerge over a series of days. The last born might be a month behind the first to hatch, and rarely survives.

Young birds fledge after 28-35 days, which is usually sometime between June and September. [Remember that although sites might not be in convenient locations, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects the nests while in use.] The young birds remain close to the family after fledging, joining the wider social group which their parents are part of.

Quick Facts

Recognising their superior intelligence, many cultures consider jackdaws to be magical beings.

A few years ago, Italian thieves made use jackdaws’ intelligence by training one to steal money from people’s hands after they withdrew cash from bank machines.

The birds have a special status in Conwy. Since the 14th century, generations of jackdaws have nested in the town walls, and the ramparts of the castle. People born within the walls of Conwy town, are known as jackdaws.

A group of jackdaws is called a clattering, or a train.

Jackdaws have a varied diet, and eat invertebrates (and their larvae), seeds, fruit, and carrion. Although they have been known to take eggs and young of other birds, this is not a major part of their diet.

Henry VIII blamed corvids (including jackdaws) for poor grain harvest, and used the Vermin Act of 1532 to order communities to trap and kill the birds.

Jackdaws look after each other within their social groups. They share information on plentiful food sources. They care for one and other when sick. And if one of the group is caught, the others will intervene and attack the predator.

Further Information

RSPB
Wildlife Trusts
British Trust for Ornithology