Western Jackdaw vs Carrion Crow

Western Jackdaw

Coloeus monedula

Also known as: Eurasian Jackdaw, European Jackdaw, Jackdaw

How to recognise a western jackdaw?

General appearance

The Western Jackdaw is a stocky bird, somewhat smaller than a crow, measuring approximately 33 cm or 13 inches. It is primarily black, but features a distinctive grey nape. A standout feature is the bird's white or blue-white eyes. It has a large size, with a sharp contrast between the black crown and pale gray nape and typically displays a rounded, square-tipped tail and broad, fingered wings.

Male vs female

Western Jackdaws are sexually monomorphic, meaning males and females are similar to each other in size and colour. Both sexes share the same notable features, including the bold white or pale blue eyes, grey nape and predominantly black plumage.

Juvenile

Juvenile Western Jackdaws closely resemble adults but can be distinguished by their duller, more uniform plumage colouration. They also have dark eyes that turn pale only as they mature, making them easily distinguishable from adult Jackdaws with their distinctive white or pale bluish-white eyes.

Size

13.4 - 15.4 in/4.8 - 9.3 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The western jackdaw prefers woodland, coastal cliffs, old buildings and ruins in temperate regions across western Europe to western Asia.

Additional range

Unexpected environments include urban areas, attics, and steeples, making them flexible in adaptation.

Range Map

What do western jackdaws like to eat?

Natural diet

The Eurasian Jackdaw is an omnivore with a versatile diet that includes insects, other invertebrates, fruits, seeds, carrion, and garbage. Its diet varies based on habitat, food availability, and season. Jackdaws foraging in parks or pastures with short vegetation tend to feed on the ground, often in pairs or small flocks alongside larger Rooks. Some studies indicate a predominantly plant-based diet, while others show a preference for animal matter.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, Eurasian Jackdaws may consume a range of items typically offered to wild birds. They are known to eat seeds, nuts, suet, and peanuts. Due to their adaptable nature, they may also feed on food scraps or any readily available edible material provided at feeders.

What does a western jackdaw sound like?

The western jackdaw (Corvus monedula) has a varied vocal repertoire characterized by short, sharp, and metallic-sounding calls. Its most common call is the distinctive "chak-chak" or "jack-jack," which serves as a social contact call. These birds are known for their ability to mimic sounds, although less prolifically than other corvids. The jackdaw's song is less melodic and more grating, consisting of a series of chattering notes and clicks. Their vocalizations play a critical role in maintaining social bonds within flocks and coordinating group activities.

Call

Audio by Joost van Bruggen

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

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Carrion Crow

Corvus corone

How to recognise a carrion crow?

General appearance

The Carrion Crow is roughly 46-51 cm long with a wingspan of 93–104 cm. It has a pure black plumage, slightly glossy, with a strong, black bill, and black legs. Its eyes are dark brown or grey. It flies with a slow heavy flapping, and has a distinct 'cash' sound.

Male vs female

Males are slightly larger than females, but otherwise, the sexes are very similar in appearance. Generally, females may have a slightly lighter build, but it is challenging to distinguish between the two based solely on physical appearance.

Juvenile

Juvenile Carrion Crows are remarkably similar to adults, still black but slightly less glossy. Their eyes initially are blue, gradually changing to brown in the first year. They lack the ruffled plumage around the neck seen in adults.

Size

18.9 - 20.9 in/14.0 - 21.2 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

Carrion crows typically inhabit open areas, farmlands, coastlines, woodlands and urban areas across Western Europe and Eastern Asia.

Additional range

They thrive in a range of climates, from chilly European winters to warm, humid Asian summers. Unexpectedly, they can also adapt to highly urbanized areas, including city centres.

Range Map

What do carrion crows like to eat?

Natural diet

Carrion crows have an omnivorous diet. They consume carrion, small mammals, birds' eggs, young birds, insects, and other invertebrates. They are also known to eat amphibians, reptiles, and some plant matter like seeds, fruits, and grains. Their opportunistic feeding habits allow them to adapt to various environments.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, carrion crows are attracted to various types of food typically provided for other birds. They often consume peanuts, sunflower seeds, suet, and occasionally leftover scraps of food. Their adaptable nature makes them common visitors to bird feeders, where they capitalize on the readily available food sources.

What does a carrion crow sound like?

The carrion crow's vocalizations are loud and usually high-pitched, often characterized as harsh sounds or caws. Its primary call is a hard, sharp "kraa" or "kraa-kraa" that it repeats several times. Some describe its typical calls as raucous, varied, and repetitive. Though lacking a melodic song, the crow can mimic sounds from its environment including other birds and human-made noises. These behaviors, complemented by its complex communicative system, make its vocal repertoire quite diverse.

Call

Audio by Marie-Lan Taÿ Pamart

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

Call

Audio by Marie-Lan Taÿ Pamart

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

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Western Jackdaw

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Carrion Crow

Western Jackdaw

Coloeus monedula

Also known as: Eurasian Jackdaw, European Jackdaw, Jackdaw

General appearance

The Western Jackdaw is a stocky bird, somewhat smaller than a crow, measuring approximately 33 cm or 13 inches. It is primarily black, but features a distinctive grey nape. A standout feature is the bird's white or blue-white eyes. It has a large size, with a sharp contrast between the black crown and pale gray nape and typically displays a rounded, square-tipped tail and broad, fingered wings.

Male vs female

Western Jackdaws are sexually monomorphic, meaning males and females are similar to each other in size and colour. Both sexes share the same notable features, including the bold white or pale blue eyes, grey nape and predominantly black plumage.

Juvenile

Juvenile Western Jackdaws closely resemble adults but can be distinguished by their duller, more uniform plumage colouration. They also have dark eyes that turn pale only as they mature, making them easily distinguishable from adult Jackdaws with their distinctive white or pale bluish-white eyes.

Size

13.4 - 15.4 in/4.8 - 9.3 oz

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Carrion Crow

Corvus corone

General appearance

The Carrion Crow is roughly 46-51 cm long with a wingspan of 93–104 cm. It has a pure black plumage, slightly glossy, with a strong, black bill, and black legs. Its eyes are dark brown or grey. It flies with a slow heavy flapping, and has a distinct 'cash' sound.

Male vs female

Males are slightly larger than females, but otherwise, the sexes are very similar in appearance. Generally, females may have a slightly lighter build, but it is challenging to distinguish between the two based solely on physical appearance.

Juvenile

Juvenile Carrion Crows are remarkably similar to adults, still black but slightly less glossy. Their eyes initially are blue, gradually changing to brown in the first year. They lack the ruffled plumage around the neck seen in adults.

Size

18.9 - 20.9 in/14.0 - 21.2 oz

There's more to learn about Carrion Crow

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How to tell the Western Jackdaw from the Carrion Crow

Visual differences

The Western Jackdaw is smaller, approximately 13 inches long, compared to the Carrion Crow's 18-20 inches. The Jackdaw features a distinctive grey nape and striking white or blue-white eyes, whereas the Crow is uniformly black with glossy plumage and dark brown or grey eyes. The Jackdaw's bill is more delicate compared to the Crow's robust, black bill. Jackdaws have a rounded, square-tipped tail, while Crows possess a more standard-shaped tail. These visual differences make each bird identifiable despite their similar black coloration.

Key differences and behavior

The Western Jackdaw, smaller at about 13 inches, is highly social and clever, often forming lifelong pairs and exhibiting playful behavior, such as mutual preening and acrobatics. They thrive in diverse habitats, from woodlands to urban areas, and adapt well to finding food, enjoying insects and seeds at feeders. In contrast, the Carrion Crow, larger at 18-21 inches, is known for its intelligence and tool use. Though wary of humans, it thrives in open areas and urban settings. Crows also form enduring pair bonds, participating in elaborate courtship displays and building nests in tall trees or urban spaces. Their omnivorous diet includes carrion, small animals, and feeder offerings. Key behavioral differences include the Jackdaw's sociable, acrobatic nature versus the Crow's solitary, cautious demeanor.