Western Jackdaw
Coloeus monedula
The Western Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula) is a common crows, jays, and magpi found in 75 countries. The western jackdaw, also known as the Eurasian jackdaw, the European jackdaw, or simply the jackdaw, is a passerine bird in the crow family.
About the Western Jackdaw
The western jackdaw, also known as the Eurasian jackdaw, the European jackdaw, or simply the jackdaw, is a passerine bird in the crow family. It is found across Europe, western Asia and western North Africa; it is mostly resident, although northern and eastern populations migrate south in the winter. Four subspecies are recognised, which differ mainly in the darker or paler greyscale of the plumage on the head and nape. Linnaeus first described it formally, giving it the name Corvus monedula. The common name derives from the word jack, denoting "small", and daw, a less common synonym for "jackdaw", and the native English name for the bird.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The western jackdaw measures 34–39 centimetres (13–15 in) in length and weighs around 240 grams (8.5 oz). Most of the plumage is a shiny black, with a purple (in subspecies monedula and spermologus) or blue (in subspecies cirtensis and soemmerringii) sheen on the crown, forehead, and secondaries, and a green-blue sheen on the throat, primaries, and tail. The cheeks, nape and neck are light grey to greyish-silver, and the underparts are slate-grey. The legs are black, as is the short stout bill, the length of which is about 75% of the length of the rest of the head. Voice: Western jackdaws are voluble birds. The main call, frequently given in flight, is a metallic and squeaky chyak-chyak or kak-kak. This is a contact or greeting call. A feeding call made by adults to call young, or males when offering food to their mates, has been transcribed as kiaw or kyow.
What the Western Jackdaw sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Canada, United States, St. Pierre & Miquelon, Faroe Islands, Andorra.
When to see it
The Western Jackdaw can be seen all year round, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Watch the Western Jackdaw on live cams
Browse all 118 bird cams worldwide, live and seasonal, by region and species.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Western Jackdaw?
- The western jackdaw measures 34–39 centimetres (13–15 in) in length and weighs around 240 grams (8.5 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- Where can you see a Western Jackdaw?
- The Western Jackdaw occurs in 75 countries, including the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, Belgium and Finland.
- What does a Western Jackdaw sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Western Jackdaw on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Western Jackdaw?
- The Western Jackdaw is most easily confused with the Daurian Jackdaw.
- Is the Western Jackdaw endangered?
- The Western Jackdaw is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Western Jackdaw for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.