Eurasian Jackdaw Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesEurasian Jackdaw
A small crow with a pale eye and a short, slender bill partially covered with feathers. Front of head is black, contrasting with light gray back of head. Body is dark gray. Wings and tail are darker, with wings showing a purplish or bluish sheen in good light.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryConnaught, September 16, 2016Typically has a prominent light gray “half hood,” but this can vary based on location, lighting, age, sex, and time of year.
© David Irving / Macaulay LibraryEngland, June 13, 2016A small crow with a pale eye, black face, light gray back of the head, and charcoal upperparts.
© Greg Baker / Macaulay LibraryTulcea, May 05, 2022Not all videos have sound
When seen well, underparts are dark gray, contrasting subtly with the paler gray head, black face, and blackish wings and tail.
© Daniel Jauvin / Macaulay LibraryExtremadura, May 13, 2016Immature is duller than adult, with a darker eye, a brownish tinge to some feathers, and less contrast between the back of the head and the rest of the body.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryConnaught, September 16, 2016Jackdaws may gather in large groups of thousands of birds as they go to roost in the nonbreeding season. Flocks twist and turn in unison, a bit like European Starling murmurations.
© A Emmerson / Macaulay LibraryEngland, October 18, 2017Not all videos have sound
(with Eurasian Magpie)
A very social species, often gathering in flocks, including with other members of the crow, jay, and magpie family.
© Bruce Kerr / Macaulay LibraryScotland, February 22, 2016An agile flyer, with flocks performing coordinated acrobatic movements.
© Dominic Garcia-Hall / Macaulay LibraryNormandie, October 09, 2007Typically nests in cavities, including nest boxes, chimneys, rock crevices, and used woodpecker cavities.
© Josep del Hoyo / Macaulay LibraryCataluña, May 18, 2014Not all videos have sound
Usually forages on the ground. Pairs stay close together year-round.
© Nicholas Talbot / Macaulay LibraryEngland, February 09, 2018Not all videos have sound
Similar SpeciesHooded Crow
Hooded Crow is larger than Eurasian Jackdaw, with a dark eye, all-black head, light gray back, and mostly light gray underparts.
© Marina Gorbunova / Macaulay LibrarySaint Petersburg, April 05, 2018Similar SpeciesCarrion Crow
Carrion Crow is larger than Eurasian Jackdaw, all black, and with a dark eye.
© Alexis Lours / Macaulay LibraryÎle-de-France, May 05, 2022Similar SpeciesRook
Adult
Adult Rook is larger than Eurasian Jackdaw, all black, dark-eyed, and with a longer bill with a pale, unfeathered base.
© Jakub Macháň / Macaulay LibraryHlavní město Praha, January 18, 2022Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.