How do you recognize a jackdaw and a young jackdaw? How can you tell jackdaw and carrion crow apart? And what does the jackdaw nest look like? We answer these and other questions in our profile.
The jackdaw (Corvus monedula) is often overshadowed by its well-known relative, the carrion crow. It is often not even perceived as an independent bird species. They are particularly intelligent and lively birds that have always been closely associated with humans. Jackdaws are cultural followers and settled in our immediate vicinity early on. Even today, they breed primarily indoors, taking advantage of orchards, cornfields, and other human structures. You can find out how to clearly identify a jackdaw, recognize its call and how you can give the crows a home here in our large profile.
Jackdaw: Wanted Poster
| Size | Approx. 33 - 34 cm |
| Weight | About 250g |
| Incubation | April - June |
| Lifetime | Up to 20 years |
| Habitat | Open but structured landscapes, parks and large gardens |
| Food Preference | Omnivores: insects, worms, carrion, grains and berries |
| Threats | Missing nesting opportunities |
How to recognize jackdaws
Like most corvids, jackdaws are distinguished by black plumage. However, they are smaller than most of their relatives, about the size of a pigeon. They are also easy to recognize by their blue-grey neck and bright light blue eyes. Jackdaw males and females cannot be distinguished from one another purely visually.
What is the difference between jackdaw and carrion crow?
Jackdaws are significantly smaller than the closely related carrion crows. They also appear less elegant, but rather stocky and compact. They also have uniqueFeatures such as the blue-grey nape and light blue eyes that make them recognizable. Carrion crows, on the other hand, are solid black.
How does the jackdaw song sound like?
Jackdaw song consists of a nondescript, harsh babble that has little structure. Other birds are often imitated or various sounds from the environment are recorded. The calls of the jackdaw, which can often be heard in groups or in flight, such as "kya-kya-kya", are a little easier to identify. The warning calls sound like a hotter, drawn out "Tscharrrr".
The call of the jackdaw sounds like this:
How do you recognize a jackdaw juvenile?
Very young jackdaws that have just fledged are still quite inconspicuous. They are solid black and look quite similar to other crow chicks. However, the blue-grey neck plumage develops very quickly and the juveniles resemble the adult animals after just a few weeks - although the neck is even less intensely colored. In addition, young jackdaws can always be recognized by their bright light blue eyes.
What do jackdaw eggs look like?
Jackdaws lay light blue eggs about 3 centimeters in size, which are covered with dark spots. Usually between four and six eggs are laid in a nest. The nest itself is in a cave and is made from small sticks, bits of bark, other plant fibers, hair and soil.
Which habitat does the jackdaw prefer?
When looking for a suitable habitat, jackdaws look for two things: wide, open spaces in which to forage and cave-like structures in which to build their nests. They therefore like to live in fields and meadows near settlements, but also in quarries or cities with sufficiently large green areas.
Where does the jackdaw build its nest?
Jackdaws are pronounced cave breeders. Naturally they would breed in crevices and niches in rocks, but these days they mainly use old buildings, making cracked facades and chimneys their own. But also natural tree cavities, such as knotholes or old woodpecker cavities, as well as nesting boxes are often used. Both sexes take care of the nest building itself and sometimes unmated young birds from the previous year even help out.
When isjackdaw breeding season?
The breeding season of jackdaws begins in April. After laying the eggs, it is the female's job to incubate the eggs for up to 20 days. During this time it is supplied with food by the male. The newly hatched young birds are fed in the nest for four to five weeks and are supported by their parents in the search for food again after they have left the nest. Jackdaw breeding season ends in June and no second brood follows. Jackdaws also breed monogamously, and most pairs stay together for life.
Where does the jackdaw spend the winter?
Most of our native jackdaws spend the whole year in Germany. Only a few populations leave their breeding grounds and migrate shorter distances to the south or south-west. In fact, we tend to have a surplus of jackdaws in winter, as animals from northern Europe often escape the freezing temperatures of their homeland and overwinter with us.
Support the jackdaw in the garden: Here's how it works
Due to the renovation of old buildings, there are fewer and fewer nesting places for jackdaws. In some parts of Germany, the stocks are therefore already considered endangered. You can find out here how you can offer the birds a home and support them in other ways.
What do jackdaws eat?
Jackdaws are real omnivores. They feed on insects, spiders, worms and other small animals, use carrion, fruit and berries. In winter they can often be seen foraging in fields with other crow relatives such as carrion crows or rooks.
Jackdaws also like to visit bird feeders - whether in winter or during the breeding season. They are also not particularly picky about food and will take any form of bedding or grain food that is offered. Our Plantura all-season bird food, for example, contains a lot of rich seeds that the crows can feast on - in winter it provides valuable energy for heat production and in summer it brings an extra load of proteins and an addition of feed lime for expectant bird parents.
Which nest boxes are suitable for jackdaws?
If you want to offer jackdaws a nesting place, you can build a jackdaw nesting box yourself with little effort. This should be a full cavity nesting box that is closed all around except for a small entry hole. The entrance hole should be 15 cmand the footprint of the nesting box is about 28 x 17 cm. The nesting aids should be placed several meters up in a place that is safe from cats and other predators.
You can find general tips on how to build a nesting box yourself in our special article.
How can you support the Jackdaw?
In addition to the birdseed offered, jackdaws are also happy about a rich natural food supply in home gardens. You too can create a small jackdaw paradise by designing an insect-friendly garden. Do not use chemical pesticides, as these often contain toxic substances and thus not only counteract your insect-promoting measures, but can also poison birds via the food chain.
You can also scorepoints with garden birds by installing a watering hole. Whether pond, stream or water bowl - on hot days the feathered visitors will thank you. However, make sure you clean your water points regularly. Bird baths or baths can quickly become a breeding ground for infectious diseases, especially on hot days, and should therefore be cleaned daily in the summer.
Not only jackdaws are happy about a little refreshment in between, but also numerous other garden birds, such as the long-tailed tit or the dunnock.