Jackdaw

[ruthandsam]

I know absolutely nothing about birds but I am interested in identifying a bird that sits on the roof at work. The area is surrounded by willow trees.

I've checked with the RSPB bird identifier and I think it might be a Jackdaw. The grey bit on the back of his head seemed a lot more fluffy and pronounced though. The other thing that has got me wondering is that the sound of the bird on the website was different to what I have heard. It made a distinct fast clicking/knocking sound. A bird 'song' that I've never heard before. It stops you in it's track because it is loud but not tuneful.

I'm wondering if anybody could help me identify this bird?

Many thanks.

[mike11111]

How do you know it's a he? You must have very good eyesight!

[jomifl]

Bird plumage varies a lot with age and time of the year. If it is about the size of a collar dove then it is probably a jackdaw particularly as they like to hang around buildings.

[hc4361]

Jackdaws make many sounds - could the noise you've heard be described as chak-chak noise?

[ruthandsam]

Thanks for your answers which are really helpful. I guess that it is a Jackdaw now, however, I was convinced that it was more of a knocking sound rather than a chak-chak sound but I will keep a look out for him and see if can get a recording.

Mike11111 of course it's a he ;-)

[FredPuli43]

If there's a chimney near you, that's where it'll have built its nest. Jackdaws love chimneys as nest sites. You'll see them perched near the chimney pot and then disappear into it. Two of the chimneys on this house and one on the house opposite have been so used this year. Makes you wonder where they nested before there were chimneys!

[tonyav]

I believe people used to keep them as pets in the old days.

[rowanwitch]

jackdaws say their name jak jak jak

Could it be a young hooded crow....

[jomifl]

We don't know what part of the country it is in.

[askyourgran]

I can vouch for jackdaws nesting in chimneys, they nest in one of my sealed off chimneys. At least they run the magpies away.

[jomifl]

Jackdaws used to nest in our old house in the UK. They had built a platform just above the disused fireplace in our bedroom, so it was about 16 feet below the top of the chimney. They only made a little noise at feeding times otherwise we wouldn't have known that they were there.