Birds / Crows

Jackdaw

Corvus monedula

Also known as Western jackdaw and Eurasian jackdaw

Garden Regulars All year Towns Farmland Gardens Woodland

Test yourself

Recording: our own Vi Natura listening station

Sounds like

A short, bright 'tchak' or 'jack', higher and cleaner than any other crow. Flocks keep up a cheerful chatter as they circle chimneys and church towers, especially at dawn and dusk.

Remember it

It calls its own name: a quick, cheery 'jack!' from the chimney pots. Smaller and higher-pitched than a crow or rook.

When and where

Listening for the jackdaw

Heard: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
All year round
Time of day: Dawn, Day and Dusk
Where: Towns, Farmland, Gardens, Woodland
In Britain: All year
Family: Crows

Side by side

Often confused with

Play them one after the other and listen for the difference.

Jackdaw

Corvus monedula

JFMAMJJASOND

It calls its own name: a quick, cheery 'jack!' from the chimney pots. Smaller and higher-pitched than a crow or rook.

Magpie

Pica pica

JFMAMJJASOND

A machine-gun rattle from the treetops. If it rattles rather than screams, think magpie, not jay.

Could you pick out a jackdaw?

Hear a song, choose from four birds, and build your streak.

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Same habitat

Also in towns

See all

Blackbird

Turdus merula

JFMAMJJASOND

Slow, rich, fluting phrases that wander about and often trail off into a quiet chuckle.

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleus

JFMAMJJASOND

Two or three thin, high notes followed by a fast, shimmering trill: 'tsee-tsee-tsuhuhuhu'.

Carrion Crow

Corvus corone

JFMAMJJASOND

A harsh, hoarse 'kraa-kraa-kraa', usually three or four calls in a row from a treetop, rooftop or aerial, each one flat and croaky.

Dunnock

Prunella modularis

JFMAMJJASOND

A hurried, flat, squeaky warble that stays on one level and stops abruptly, like a squeaky wheel turning.