Differences between jackdaws and carrion crows ?

[Ringo1968]

I have noticed a great many corvids in a car park scavenging but am not sure if they are carrion crows or jackdaws. What are the main ways of telling them apart in the field ?

[KeenTeen17]

The carrion crow is a larger bird all together than the jackdaw which is smaller. The carrion crow has a shrill caw, whereas jackdaws have a chattering sound. Jackdaws usually hang around in big groups whereas crows in pairs or individually.

[Paul mabbott]

Jackdaws have distinctly grey side-back of head and upper breast.
If there are a lot of corvids, it's quite possible that you'll have both of these species but don't overlook the possibility of the larger ones being rooks! The bill-face of carrion crows and rook differ but rooks walk in a more upright manner!

[ESJ]

Grab an ID Guide and have a really good look at a field full of 'crows' during the winter and you will usually see that there is a mixture of Jackdaws, Carrion Crows and Rooks (often with a load of Starlings thrown in).
It's the ideal way to sort out the differences when you see them side by side (as with many species of similar birds).

Steve.

[Brocakat]

You may feel some confusion if you go to Scotland, Ringo 1968, as the 'Hoodie' / Hooded Crow appears similar ( isn't it a sub-species of the Carrion Crow? ) to the Jackdaw -- but it's the same size as the C.C.

Other distinctions;- Jackdaws have a distinctive 'Clack' as their main vocalism, and have brilliant-sky-blue iris . They really do stand out.

[faz]

eye colour bluey greay jackdaw

[david156]

Originally Posted by Brocakat

the 'Hoodie' / Hooded Crow appears similar ( isn't it a sub-species of the Carrion Crow? )

They are now classed as separate species. The split was around 2002 and before that they were classed as a subspecies. But be careful as you can get hybridisation where the two races overlap.

[John B (NTS)]

Separating Jackdaws from Carrion Crows is possibly easier than falling off a log while drunk and wearing roller skates. Everything about a Carrion Crow is black but the grey head of the smaller Jackdaw and its beady pale grey blue eye stick out like sore thumbs. Jackdaws are also pretty sociable (like Rooks) but Carrion Crows tend to keep themselves to themselves.

[jeremiah]

"but Carrion Crows tend to keep themselves to themselves"

Not in Sainsbury's car park in Sydenham. I have counted over forty there at any one time, and they are there all year round. Somebody puts down bread in the car park, and they also keep an eye out for dropped crisp packets etc. In the snow last week a few of them were hanging about the exit, waiting for the rush of hot air when the doors opened. Having said that, they are more a collection of individuals and pairs, rather than a "flock".

There are also starlings there - the shop has a speaker which sends out "alarm" calls - the starlings seem to like it, they just sit on the trolleys right under the speaker.

[aeshna5]

Certainly in urban areas in particular, there can be some large congregations of Crows + I've seen flocks of over 100, such as on Clapham Common.

Apart from roosts, I've never seen large flocks like this in rural areas.