Coloeus monedula
The Western Jackdaw, *Coloeus monedula*, is a highly intelligent and notably social member of the Corvidae family, instantly recognizable by its striking pale, often silvery-white, irises that contrast sharply with its otherwise largely black plumage. This medium-sized corvid typically measures 34-39 cm (13-15 in) in length with a wingspan of 67-74 cm (26-29 in) and weighs between 175-280 g (6.2-9.9 oz). Its plumage is generally glossy black, but with a distinctive ash-grey nape and ear-cover...
Found in a diverse range of habitats, including open woodland, farmland, parks, urban centers, cliffs, and coastal areas, often preferring locations with available cavities for nesting. It thrives in both rural and human-modified landscapes, typically from sea level up to moderate elevations in m...
Omnivorous, feeding on a wide range of invertebrates (insects, spiders, snails), seeds, berries, fruits, carrion, eggs, nestlings, and human refuse, often foraging on the ground.
Western Jackdaws are highly gregarious birds, forming complex social hierarchies within large flocks that can number in the thousands, especially at communal roost sites during winter. They are diurnal, active from dawn until dusk, often engaging in impressive aerial displays as flocks gather. Fo...
The Western Jackdaw boasts an extensive Palearctic range, stretching across Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. Its distribution encompasses the entirety of the United Kingdom and Ireland, Scandinavia, southern Europe, eastward through Russia, and down into the Middle East, including Turkey, ...
Least Concern
- The Western Jackdaw is one of the few bird species known to recognize individual human faces and remember them, sometimes for years. - They are excellent problem-solvers; experiments have shown they can learn to use tools and understand cause-and-effect relationships. - Unlike most dark-eyed co...