Daurian Jackdaw
\nThe
Daurian Jackdaw (
Corvus dauricus) is a member of the
crow family of
birds. It is closely related to the
Eurasian Jackdaw.
It is the same size or perhaps slightly smaller (32 cm in length) than the latter species, with the same proportions and identical habits. The principle difference is its plumage; this species have large areas of creamy white on the lower parts extending up around the neck as a thick collar. The head, throat, wings and tail are glossy black and the ear coverts are grizzled grey. The iris is dark in this species, unlike the distinctive grey-white iris of the Eurasian Jackdaw.
This species occurs from the more southerly part of eastern
Siberia, south to
Mongolia and down into all of
China. In the north of its range it
migrates further south during the winter.
It inhabits open woodland, river valley and open hills and mountains. The only other pied species around is the Chinese
Collared Crow (
C. torquatus) but as this is a much larger bird (about the same size or slightly larger than the
Carrion Crow (
C. corone)) confusion is unlikely to occur.
The food is identical to that of the Eurasian Jackdaw and includes cultivated grains, insects and berries, and feeding on insects from animal dung.
This species will nest in trees where suitable holes cannot be found though tree cavities or rock openings and ruined buildings are still favoured. The eggs are the same as for the Eurasian Jackdaw.
Photo Image Links:
\n* Daurian Jackdaws\n*
Group of birds
