Jackdaw: The Clever and Social Bird of the Crow Family
Introduction:
The jackdaw, scientific name Coloeus monedula, is a member of the crow family known as Corvidae. Despite being small, they are highly intelligent and tend to have striking features such as sociability and adaptability. It is difficult not to notice this bird because it has black glossy feathers, a greyish body with a conspicuous silvery-grey nape, and striking blue-grey eyes. Besides being beautiful creatures visually, they are also very useful. They can be seen perched on rooftops or in large, noisy flocks in diverse habitats like urban centres or rural farmlands. Offering more than just entertainment value, these birds are beneficial for ecosystems by acting as vermin control agents and garbage disposers.
Amazing Facts:
- Extraordinary Intelligence: They have high intelligence, which enables them to solve complicated puzzles and make simple tools for accessing food.
- Eye Contact Communication: These are among the few bird species that use eye contact for communication with fellow them as well as humans.
- Monogamous Pair Bonds: They form lifelong monogamous partnerships with their mates.
- COORDINATION OF FLOCKS: When flying in flocks, the birds are highly social and coordinate their moves with amazing accuracy.
- Unusual Nest Places: They use chimneys, church towers, and sometimes even abandoned buildings to bring up their young ones. They nest in unusual places.
- Cultural symbolism: Some folklore portrays jackdaws as the epitome of mystery and intelligence. Sometimes they are regarded as omens or messengers from above.
Habitat and Diet:
Habitat:
They are versatile creatures that inhabit various types of environments, such as;
- Urban Areas: In urban areas, they are often seen around towns and cities where they breed on chimneys and feed at parks.
- Farmlands: These provide lots of food and nesting sites for them due to open fields available there.
- Woodlands: They prefer woodlands with old trees that have cavities for nesting.
- Cliffs and Coastal Regions: Jack daws feed along coastlines, and some of them nest in rocky cliffs in such areas.
- Geographic Range: They occur throughout Europe, parts of North Africa, Western Asia, and New Zealand where they have been introduced into.
Diet:
They are opportunistic omnivores that feed on different things, including;
- Insects: At the breeding season, beetles, grasshoppers, larvae, etc. form most of their menu.
- Fruits & seeds: Berries, nuts and grains are an important diet component, especially during winter.
- Carrion: Like other birds in the Corvid family, they eat carrion food leftovers.
- Human Food: They often rummage bins or scavenge picnics.
Appearance:
It can be distinguished from the following characteristics:
- Size: They are smaller than crows, measuring about 13 to 15 inches (33–39 cm) in length and with a wingspan of 26 to 28 inches (66–70 cm).
- Colouration: glossy black plumage with a distinctive silvery-grey tint on the nape and sides of the head. The wings and tail are slightly metallic, and their pale silver or light blue-grey eyes have a strikingly knowing look.
- Beak and Legs: Short, stout, black beak and sturdy black legs, well-suited for perching and hopping.
- Distinctive Features: A somewhat round head that gives them a dense and tidy shape. They possess short tails as well as pointed wings, which help in flight agility. When standing, they tend to adopt an upright posture.
- Flight Pattern: Agile and swift in the air with direct, deliberate movements. Often seen flying together in small groups, performing synchronised swooping movements.
Types/Subspecies of Jackdaw:
They have four distinct subspecies that differ slightly in range and appearance:
- Western Jackdaw: They live in western Europe and have darker napes.
- Eastern Jackdaw: They are found in eastern Europe and western Asia, with lighter coloured plumage on the nape and neck.
- Nordic Jackdaw: Its natural habitat is Scandinavia; it has a paler grey head and neck.
- Moroccan Jackda: It lives in North Africa; it is slightly smaller and overall darker in colour.
Predators and Threats:
Natural Predators:
For example, jackaws are hunted by several species, including:
- Birds of Prey: Hawks, Falcons, and Owls prey upon them, most especially young ones or those that are inexperienced.
- Mammals: Foxes may attack them, especially when they are feeding on the ground.
Threats:
Despite these, they remain robust birds, with the majority having stable populations over their range.
- Habitat Loss: The breeding areas are reduced by urbanisation and felling of trees.
- Persecution: Considered as pests in some situations, due to their scavenging habits and loud cries, they have been eliminated selectively.
- Pollution: Their health can be at risk from toxic food sources and littered plastics.
Mating and Reproduction:
Some behaviors while mating are fascinating among jackdaws, which include;
- Pair Bonding: Monogamy creates strong bonds between these birds that might last for a lifetime in some cases.
- Courtship Displays: Males use aerial acrobatics combined with vocalisations to attract females for reproduction purposes.
- Nesting: These birds construct nests using twigs, leaves, and other materials inside cavities. Common nesting sites include chimneys, old buildings, and natural tree hollows
- Eggs: Females lay about 4-6 pale blue eggs covered with brown speckles that hatch after an approximate of 17-18 days.
- Parental Care: The period from hatching till fledge lasts about 28 – 35 days where both parents take turns feeding them and protecting them until they grow feathers enough to fly away from the nest
How Do They Communicate?
Jackdaws can communicate greatly through different voices.
Vocalisations:
- Their trade mark “jack-jack” is well recognized within their range
- They also emit various clicks and caws or whistles, portraying feelings or alerting others.
Body Language:
- Flapping its wings or nodding its head is how a jackdaw intends to communicate.
Eye Contact:
- Jackdaws are unique birds that demonstrate submission and dominance within groups through direct eye contact.
Religious and cultural significance:
For many years, jackdaws have been part of literature and folklore as follows:
Folklore:
- European legends often link Jackdaws with curiosity and mischief.
- In some cultures, they are viewed as messengers between worlds or omens.
Literature:
- They are given roles as smart beings in classic works like Aesop’s Fables, representing cleverness.
- Charles Dickens used the term “jackdaws” in Barnaby Rudge.
Movies Featuring Jackdaws:
It is not as common to find jackdaws in films as it is for some other bigger corvids, such as crows and ravens, but there are a few instances where jackdaws or similar birds have been used in movies:
- The Crow (1994): The aura of mystery surrounding corvids, including jackdaws, is captured by this film even though it focuses on a crow.
- The Secret of Kells (2009): Sometimes scenes from this movie appear like jackdaws because its mystic and artistic story contains corvids.
- Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole (2010): In the background, there are also jackdaws or similar birds that contribute to the natural setting, though the main focus is owls.
- The Birds (1963): If one takes note of some atmospheric sequences in this film, which predominantly concern belligerent gulls and crows, they might spot a few jackdaws too.
How would you pronounce it?
- English: Jackdaw (/ˈdʒæk.dɔː/)
- Spanish: Grajilla (/ɡɾaˈxiʎa/)
- French: Choucas (/ʃu.ka/)
- German: Dohle (/ˈdoːlə/)
- Russian: Галка (Galka)
- Mandarin Chinese: 寒鸦 (Hányā)
- Japanese: ニシコクマルガラス (Nishi Kokumarugarasu)
- Hindi: काला कौआ (Kala Kauwa)
- Arabic: زاغ صغير (Zāgh Sagheer)
FAQs:
Q: Are jackdaws intelligent?
A: Yes. They are one of the most intelligent species among birds; they can solve puzzles, use tools, and even recognise human faces.
A: They are omnivorous, feeding on bugs, fruits, seeds, and carrion, including food leftovers of humans.
Q: Do they mate for life?
A: Yes, mostly jackdaws will form long-term mates.
Q: Where can jackdaws be found?
A: They live in Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia, where they prosper in urban environments such as towns and cities, fields (farms), and forests (woods).
Q: Are they protected?
A: While they may be controlled as pests in certain areas, wildlife protection laws safeguard them in numerous countries.