The Jackdaw is the smallest crow-like we know in the world. The jackdaws have a very large distribution area. Like all corvids, jackdaws are highly intelligent animals. They have a complex social structure and although they all look alike at first sight, they are real individuals with their own character.
Characteristics
The jackdaw (Corvus monedula) probably gets its name from its call, which already sounds like ‘kaw’. Because of its preference for inhabiting (church) towers, this species was also called Tower Crow in the past. The jackdaw has a black coat with a gray ear region and neck.
The jackdaw has a somewhat high forehead. Always stay in groups. Although not a true colony breeder, groups of jackdaws do nest close together. As the smallest corvid in this region, the jackdaw reaches a length of about 33 cm.
Spread
Jackdaws are found throughout the Palearctic region. The Jackdaw has a great adaptability and that also explains its extensive distribution area.
In addition to artificial and natural park landscapes, the jackdaw also occurs in almost treeless landscapes. The Jackdaw is a familiar sight in villages and towns. The Jackdaws in the Netherlands are mainly resident birds with some stray tendencies. Part of the population migrates to Belgium, northwestern France, and England in the autumn. Specimens from Northern and Eastern Europe appear here again during this period of migration.
Breeding Behavior
In the world, the jackdaw is a numerous breeding bird. Its great adaptability is also evident in the choice of nesting sites. Usually, these are natural and artificial burrows. In the inhabited area, these are usually (church) towers, air ducts, and chimneys, outside the built-up area these are tree cavities and rabbit holes are also used on the heath and dunes.
But in addition to these more general nesting opportunities, the nests of jackdaws can also be found in windmills, ivy vegetation, disused buildings and ruins, and nests are also found in the marl caves in South Limburg. But even under bridges and in duck baskets and even on breakwaters along the Wadden dike, nests can be found between the loose basalt blocks.
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Free tree nests have also been found in complexes with closely spaced spruce trees and free nests have also been found in rookeries. And given this flexible choice of nesting places, it should not be surprising that the jackdaws also use nest boxes and not just nest boxes tailored to the jackdaw, if the bird fits in a bit, the box is put into use. One clutch is raised annually laying 4 to 6 eggs. The breeding season starts from mid-April to early May. 
About two months later, the young fledge and can barely fly. Only after a month do the young go their own way. At the end of July, the breeding season for jackdaws is over. Even if their clutch is lost, the parents do not produce a second clutch as other corvids do.
Social Behaviour
Few animals have a highly developed social and family life comparable to the jackdaws. The learning ability of the jackdaws is very great. Young jackdaws learn from older conspecifics which animals they should fear as predators. This learning is based on actual learning and not on innate ‘knowing’.
If a living creature appears that the young jackdaws have not seen before, then one needs only watch the leading old jackdaw. If the old jackdaw threatens, then it is clear once and for all that, this creature should be regarded as an enemy.
The Jackdaws raised by humans lack this learning process and do not fear other animals and are therefore much more at risk. In a jackdaw colony, all animals know each other.
There is also a hierarchy within such a colony. This ranking is somewhat similar to the pecking order of chickens, but there are essential differences. With chickens, the lowest in the ranking does not have a really nice life because they have to fear all the chickens above them. In the Jackdaws, the lowest places have little to fear from the high places.
Here the skirmishes mainly take place between animals of approximately equal rank. High-ranking jackdaws pretend that the low-ranking jackdaws are air. Only when they get close do they adopt a threatening attitude that will rarely lead to an actual attack? High-ranking jackdaws also intervene if there is a serious conflict between lower-ranking jackdaws.
Here it is then taken up for the weaker of the two. With chickens, the lowest in the ranking does not have a really nice life because they have to fear all the chickens above them. In Jackdaws, the lowest places have little to fear from the high places. Here the skirmishes mainly take place between animals of approximately equal rank. High-ranking jackdaws pretend that the low-ranking jackdaws are air.
Only when they get close do they adopt a threatening attitude that will rarely lead to an actual attack? High-ranking jackdaws also intervene if there is a serious conflict between lower-ranking jackdaws. Here it is then taken up for the weaker of the two. With chickens, the lowest in the ranking does not have a really nice life because they have to fear all the chickens above them.
In the Jackdaws, the lowest places have little to fear from the high places. Here the skirmishes mainly take place between animals of approximately equal rank. High-ranking jackdaws pretend that the low-ranking jackdaws are air.
Only when they get close do they adopt a threatening attitude that will rarely lead to an actual attack? High-ranking jackdaws also intervene if there is a serious conflict between lower-ranking jackdaws. Here it is then taken up for the weaker of the two.
Here the skirmishes mainly take place between animals of approximately equal rank. High-ranking jackdaws pretend that the low-ranking jackdaws are air. Only when they get close do they adopt a threatening attitude that will rarely lead to an actual attack? High-ranking jackdaws also intervene if there is a serious conflict between lower-ranking jackdaws. Here it is then taken up for the weaker of the two.
Here the skirmishes mainly take place between animals of approximately equal rank. High-ranking jackdaws pretend that the low-ranking jackdaws are air. Only when they get close do they adopt a threatening attitude that will rarely lead to an actual attack? High-ranking jackdaws also intervene if there is a serious conflict between lower-ranking jackdaws. Here it is then taken up for the weaker of the two.
The social ranking is very constant and there is certainly no question of a constant sawing of the higher placed. Partners assist each other in skirmishes. In fact, there is no rank distinction and within the colony, they have the same rank number. In mating, the female assumes a higher rank than the male. The jackdaws that have found a partner remain loyal to each other.
The jackdaws have a highly developed language with which communication is busy within the colony. The individuals without exception all have their own character and it is a fascinating affair to observe the behavior of these intelligent birds.
Nuisance?
Some people report a nuisance from chewing because they choose chimneys as a breeding ground. However, this can be easily prevented by placing a so-called tarantula on the flue. There are also people who are irritated because chews also come to fat balls, peanut garlands, and feeding tables. Yes, jackdaws also like to be fed, especially during winter conditions. However, there are also feed silos for smaller birds that the jackdaw cannot reach.
