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UrbanCavity nestMedium · 240 g
What the Western Jackdaw sounds like
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Western Jackdaw
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is May, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Western Jackdaw
The map shades 70 countries with regular records, and 5 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Canada, United States, St. Pierre & Miquelon, Faroe Islands, Andorra.
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.
Easily confused with
Side by side: Daurian Jackdaw vs Western Jackdaw
Watch the Western Jackdaw on live cams
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