Corvus monedula, Jackdaw

Common Name: Jackdaw

Corvus monedula, more commonly known as the Jackdaw, are roughly 30cm in length. They have glossy black plumage with an obvious grey nape and beady little white eyes; both sexes are alike.

Quite varied in its feeding habits: insects and their larvae, grain, weed seeds, wild and cultivated fruit; sometimes small animals, eggs and young of other birds; potatoes and carrion. For the nest, both sexes make an untidy pile of sticks, lined with wool and hair, nearly always in a hole or crevice in a tree, cliff or building.

Jackdaws can be found in fields, woods, parks and gardens. They're social birds and roost communally in woodlands. They can be seen at any time of year. Jackdaws often join up with rooks and carrion crows in autumn and winter to roost together in huge numbers. They're widespread and common across the UK, with the exception of the Scottish Highlands.

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