# Western Jackdaw (*Coloeus monedula*)

The western jackdaw (*Coloeus monedula*) is a bird of the crow family, Corvidae, in the order Passeriformes.

> The western jackdaw (Coloeus monedula) is the smallest crow in Europe, black with a grey nape and striking pale silver-white eyes. It lives in flocks around farmland, cliffs, old buildings and towns from Europe and North Africa to western Asia, and it famously nests in chimneys. Jackdaws pair for life. BirdLife estimates 39 to 85 million mature birds and lists it as Least Concern.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN-style):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Europe, north-west Africa and western and central Asia.
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/jackdaw/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Passeriformes
- **Family:** Corvidae
- **Genus:** Coloeus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Coloeus monedula (also Corvus monedula) |
| Diet | Omnivore: insects, seeds, fruit, eggs and scraps |
| Habitat | Farmland, parkland, sea cliffs, towns and villages |
| Weight | UK adults average about 230 g |
| Lifespan | Typically 5 years; oldest ringed bird 18 years |
| Range | Europe, North Africa and western Asia |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2018) |

## Identification

Jackdaws are compact crows, mainly black with a soft grey nape and sides of the neck and a short bill. The pale, silvery-white eye is distinctive at close range. The call is a sharp, cheerful 'chack'.

## Social birds

Jackdaws live in flocks and pairs stay together for life. They nest in holes in trees, cliffs and buildings, and often fill chimneys with sticks. Flocks often feed and roost alongside rooks.

## Clever and curious

Jackdaws are inquisitive and follow the gaze of people. The naturalist Konrad Lorenz studied their social behaviour in detail and described it in his book King Solomon's Ring.

## Status

BirdLife International (which places the species in Corvus) lists it as Least Concern (2018), estimating 39 to 85 million mature birds and a stable trend. BTO ringing data give a typical life expectancy of 5 years.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why do jackdaws have white eyes?

Adult jackdaws have a pale silvery-white iris. Researchers think it may help them communicate with each other, for example when defending nest holes.

### Why do jackdaws nest in chimneys?

They naturally nest in holes in trees and cliffs, and chimneys offer similar sheltered cavities.

### Is a jackdaw a crow?

Yes. It is a small member of the crow family, Corvidae.

### How long do jackdaws live?

BTO data give a typical life expectancy of 5 years; the oldest ringed jackdaw lived 18 years.

## Sources

- [BirdLife International (2026). Species factsheet: Eurasian Jackdaw Corvus monedula. BirdLife DataZone. Checked 1 November 2026.](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/eurasian-jackdaw-corvus-monedula)
- [BTO BirdFacts: Jackdaw. British Trust for Ornithology.](https://www.bto.org/learn/about-birds/birdfacts/jackdaw)
- Tobias, J. A. et al. (2022). AVONET: morphological, ecological and geographical data for all birds. Ecology Letters 25: 581–597. doi:10.1111/ele.13898
- [Gill, F., Donsker, D. & Rasmussen, P. (Eds). IOC World Bird List v15.2.](https://www.worldbirdnames.org/new/)

## Help protect the Western Jackdaw

Even familiar animals lose ground as wild habitat keeps shrinking worldwide.

[Donate to wildlife protection](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/donate/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/jackdaw/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.