Description:

The Jackdaw is the smallest member of the crow family to be found in Britain. The overall appearance is of a stocky black bird with grey colouration to the back of the head. Adults, though not juveniles, have a startling pale eye.

Ecology & Behaviour:

Jackdaws pair up long term, often for life. Pairs fly around together at any time of year and even in a big winter feeding flock pairs can be picked out. When the female is busy laying eggs the male is especially vigilant and both adults put a tremendous amount of effort into rearing the young and finding enough food for them. In fact, in most years the parents are unable to rear all the chicks, some fall be the wayside before they fledge. Four or five eggs are laid but the female starts incubating halfway through the clutch so that the last two chicks will be smaller and are the most likely casualties if food is short.

The intelligence of Jackdaws is legendary and they figure in myths throughout Europe. They are supposed to steal jewellery and keep it in their nests but there seems to be no truth in this for wild birds. However, tame birds can easily be taught to do tricks. There are also several stories of Jackdaws caring for injured relatives.

Garden BirdWatch links

A 'Focus On' article on the Jackdaw appeared in issue 26 of the Bird Table magazine. Garden BirdWatch participants can download a copy of this article from the participant only pages.