Jackdaw: Characteristics, Habitat, and Feeding Tips

The Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) is the smallest member of the crow family. It has a dark grey to black plumage with a contrasting grey nape, light coloured eyes and a distinctive silvery sheen to the back of its head.

They have a familiar high pitched call which sounds like "kyow" or "tchack", after which it is named.

Jackdaws are a colonial breeder and make their nests in the cavities of trees, remote cliffs or even ruined old buildings particularly chimney stacks. They forage for food in open areas and on the ground but do take some food in trees. They will also visit garbage tips, bins, urban streets and gardens especially when the weather is bad and more often early in the morning when there are fewer people about. Although not common it has been seen to hang on nut feeders when the ground is snow-covered.

The Jackdaws diet is rather varied and they feed on insects, worms, mice and also vegetation, such as seeds, berries and fruit. At Haith's we have a variety of mixes that are generally attractive to this species and one of them is our High-Energy Extra, it includes oil-rich, high-energy Sunflower Hearts, Black Sunflower and Juniper Berries, this glorious mixture will give them extra energy especially during the hard weather at a time when they need it the most and just by sprinkling the seed mix on the ground will help keep these birds thriving.

Written by Tina Jakes