The Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) is one of the smallest species (34-39 cm in length) in the genus of crows and ravens. Most of the plumage is black or greyish black except for the cheeks, nape and neck which are light grey to greyish silver. The iris is greyish white or silvery white, the only member of the genus outside of the Australasian region to have this feature. The bird is sociable, moving around in pairs (male and female) or in larger groups, though the pairs of birds stay together within the flocks.

Distribution map

Range: A very large area stretching from North West Africa through virtually all of Europe, Iran, North West India and Siberia. Inhabits wooded steppes, woodland, cultivated land, pasture, coastal cliffs and villages and towns.

Food: Food mostly taken from the ground but does take some food in trees. Eats insects and other invertebrates, weed seeds and grain, scraps of human food in towns, stranded fish on the shore, and will more readily take food from bird tables than other corvus species.

Nest: Usually nests in colonies in cavities of trees, cliffs or ruined buildings and sometimes even in dense conifers. Eggs, normally 4-5, incubated over 17-18 days and fledged after 30-35 days.

Voice: A "tchak-tchak" call.

• A detailed description of the Jackdaw's social behaviour has been described in Konrad Lorenz's book King Solomon's ring

Another species closely related to European Jackdaw is Daurian Jackdaw (Corvus dauricus).  European and Daurian Jackdaw together form the subgenus Coloeus.

External Photo links:

• Urban bird on pavement (http://www.gardensafari.net/vogels/corvus_monedula_ha3_0528.jpg)
• Jackdaw on coastal cliffside (http://www.mybitoftheplanet.com/2002/2002june_files/jackdaw0206big.jpg)
• Very good profile shot (http://www.btinternet.com/~c.p.burrows/images/Feb3_03/Jackdaw--corvus-monedula--C.jpg)
• Skull of Jackdaw (http://www.skullsite.com/images/dbimages/large/corvusmonedula_s.jpg)