Species of the day: Jackdaw

By James Duncan

Learning & Engagement Officer

The Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) belongs to the Crow or 'corvid' family, undoubtedly one of the most intelligent and adaptable animal families on earth. We may well symbolise the Owl for its wisdom, but this belief should perhaps be aimed at the mighty corvids instead. It seems Jackdaws have a real affinity with man and there are countless stories told of trust and even friendship between the two. Incredibly, they have an innate ability to recognise individual human faces - a study by Cambridge Zoologist Auguste von Bayern even concluded an ability to understand human facial expressions. Their problem solving abilities and propensity for learning new skills is quite remarkable. These skills tend to outstrip a large percentage of birds (and indeed animals) who may be exceptionally proficient at a given task (e.g. hunting) but struggle to learn outside their instinctual behaviour. 

Jackdaws are a highly social species and one of a small number who have an exceptional pair bond and may possibly mate for life. Whilst approximately 90% of birds are thought to be monogamous, this may only last a single breeding season, not necessarily for year after year. They also appear to display a capacity for caring for injured relatives, which has been documented in the wild. Like many primates they even exhibit a strict social hierarchy, with ethological studies in the 1930s determining changes in hierarchical status following sexual selection. 

However, love for them hasn't always been universal and they suffered from persecution through Henry VIII's vermin act of 1532, though fortunately not as extensively as other corvids. Their greed for grain wasn't as great and they posed a lesser threat to small birds, so their image has remained more positive. Indeed the Jackdaw may actually be a useful ally owing to its diet incorporating a number of agricultural pest species. The origin of the Jackdaw's name most likely dates to the 16th century and relates to the onomatopoeic 'jack' representing their common contact call ('tchak') and 'daw' being an old English word for a smaller species - though it's quite possible it may relate to its hoarse, scalding alarm call.

Jackdaw © James Duncan