The Western Jackdaw prefers open areas such as short-grass meadows and pastures or arable land for foraging. It nests in colonies in cavities in buildings, in tree hollows in parks and on forest edges, and on rock faces.
In Switzerland, the Western Jackdaw is mainly found in the Central Plateau, in the Jura and in Alpine valleys with favourable climates. Between the 1970s and 1990s, its distribution thinned out and the population fell to around 1,000 pairs. There are currently between 1,250 and 1,500 pairs (Breeding Bird Atlas 2013–2016).
Western Jackdaws are strongly attached to traditional breeding sites, and it is very important to protect these. The species can be supported locally by providing nesting aids close to suitable foraging areas.
©
© Marcel Burkhardt
Conservation programme for birds in Switzerland - Priority species
Western Jackdaw
Distribution and development
Schematic distribution
Schematic distribution during the breeding season (ochre), in winter time (dotted in blue) or during migration periods (dotted in vinaceous).
Breeding bird index
The graph shows the relative evolution of the breeding population in Switzerland (100 = mean value). Example: A value of 130 means that the population in the corresponding year was 30% above the mean value of the entire period considered.
Habitat and food
©
© Stephan Strebel
Western Jackdaws nesting in nest boxes on electricity poles next to good feeding areas in the Grosses Moos region BE/FR.
©
© Willy Jost
Western Jackdaw nest in a Black Woodpecker hole in Madiswil BE.
©
© Marcel Burkhardt
Western Jackdaw nesting site in the walls of Hallwyl Castle AG.
©
© Stephan Strebel
Western Jackdaws nesting in nest boxes on electricity poles next to good feeding areas in the Grosses Moos region BE/FR.
©
© Willy Jost
Western Jackdaw nest in a Black Woodpecker hole in Madiswil BE.
©
© Marcel Burkhardt
Western Jackdaw nesting site in the walls of Hallwyl Castle AG.
Conservation programme for birds in Switzerland - Priority species
Western Jackdaw
The Western Jackdaw prefers open areas such as short-grass meadows and pastures or arable land for foraging. It nests in colonies in cavities in buildings, in tree hollows in parks and on forest edges, and on rock faces.
In Switzerland, the Western Jackdaw is mainly found in the Central Plateau, in the Jura and in Alpine valleys with favourable climates. Between the 1970s and 1990s, its distribution thinned out and the population fell to around 1,000 pairs. There are currently between 1,250 and 1,500 pairs (Breeding Bird Atlas 2013–2016).
Western Jackdaws are strongly attached to traditional breeding sites, and it is very important to protect these. The species can be supported locally by providing nesting aids close to suitable foraging areas.
In Switzerland, the Western Jackdaw is mainly found in the Central Plateau, in the Jura and in Alpine valleys with favourable climates. Between the 1970s and 1990s, its distribution thinned out and the population fell to around 1,000 pairs. There are currently between 1,250 and 1,500 pairs (Breeding Bird Atlas 2013–2016).
Western Jackdaws are strongly attached to traditional breeding sites, and it is very important to protect these. The species can be supported locally by providing nesting aids close to suitable foraging areas.
Birds of Switzerland
Western Jackdaw
To the species profile in the bird database
Project managers
Threats, activities and forecasts
Limiting factors and threats
The main factors endangering the Western Jackdaw are loss of nesting sites due to the removal of hollow trees, building renovations and inadequate quality and quantity of nestling food during the breeding season.
Breeding season
- Loss of nesting sites due to building renovations or deliberate blocking of access, as well as logging in commercial forests.
- Insufficient availability/accessibility of invertebrates as nestling food (intensification of agriculture, expansion of built-up areas).
Migration/ Winter
- No significant limiting factors in winter known.
- Colonies are abandoned after the breeding season, then from late summer Western Jackdaws can again be seen in colonies.
- Young birds may also overwinter in south-western Europe, while Western Jackdaws from north-eastern Europe also spend the winter here.
Necessary activities
Monitoring
Population is monitored through annual monitoring of around 100 selected colonies.
Conservation
- Preserve nesting sites during construction projects and expand where appropriate and possible.
- Protect hollow trees in mature tree stands and possibly add nesting aids.
- Provide nesting aids near good food sources.
- Conservation of extensively managed, structurally diverse agricultural landscapes, especially in areas close to breeding sites.
Research
- Compare foraging areas (vegetation density, height, etc.) of flourishing colonies and those with declining populations.
- Are colonies in urban areas exposed to an ecological trap? In addition to breeding success, investigate other demographic parameters (e.g. survival of adult birds, inward/outward migration).
Prospects for success and prognostics
- Food shortages and thus low reproductive success of colonies in settlements will be exacerbated by further infill and expansion of built-up areas.
- The loss of hollow trees in commercial forests means that without conservation measures tree colonies are likely to die out.
- National population trend rising thanks to targeted conservation measures by local associations, nature conservation authorities and building owners.
Conservation measures and stakeholders
Take nesting sites into consideration in construction projects
Known nesting sites of building breeders (e.g. via inventories in municipalities) should be taken into account in construction projects.
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Cantons
Industry and commerce
Municipalities
Planners and architects
Private individuals
Offer and maintain nesting aids
The installation of nest boxes close to suitable feeding areas compensates for the lack of nesting opportunities.
Cantons
Industry and commerce
Municipalities
Nature conservation
Preserve cavity trees
Hollow trees provide nesting opportunities for a wide variety of species.
Cantons
Forestry
Municipalities
Parcs
Promote extensive grazing
Extensive grazing promotes species- and structure-rich vegetation.
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Agriculture
Promote extensive farming
Leaving meadows unfertilised and not using pesticides or mowing promote plant and insect diversity, and thus habitat quality (food supply).
Agriculture
Municipalities
Private individuals
Create patchy vegetation
Patchy vegetation improves food accessibility at ground level.
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Agriculture
Municipalities
Nature conservation
Private individuals
Publications
©
© Marcel Burkhardt
Birds of Switzerland
Western Jackdaw
Eurasian Jackdaws are relatively small, lively and gregarious crows. As omnivores they despise neither vegetable nor animal food nor urban waste. They prefer open areas for foraging, primarily farmland with short grass, such as fields and pastures. The pairs mate for life and are almost always together even when roosting communally within flocks. Before settling, Eurasian Jackdaws of...
To the species profile in the bird database
