Love seems to be in the air - for Jackdaws at least?

Deb London · #1 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 02:42 PM

When I went on my walk today I started noticing pairs of black birds which I assume were Jackdaws. They were flying around each other and generally carrying on.

I read that Jackdaws pair towards the end of their first year. Might this have been what I was seeing?

I also read that they have an "engagement" period. They won't mate until their second year, which I find interesting.

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 02:59 PM

They usually pair for life but can swap and change if one dies etc, so it could have been due to this or an established pair of adults bonding. Yes 1st years pair then breed at the age of two, or unusually in their 1st summer. Its usually allopreening and feeding each other that is noticable when pairs are forming. They usually start to form in autumn so its a good possibility.

If you can get a good look, 1st years will have quite dark eyes, be less glossy (especially on the tail), the wing feathers will be similar being quite dull black/dark brown.

Deb London · #3 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 03:30 PM

Thanks Dogghound.

I will keep an eye out for all that.

I get confused. I was thinking about this year's juveniles, but those will pair towards the end of next year then. Have I got this right?

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 04:33 PM

No, they will start to form pairs at the end of this year. Stay together next year but not breed, then breed the following year.

Deb London · #5 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 04:36 PM

Oh, wow, long engagement then! Thanks D.

Dogghound · #6 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 04:40 PM

It can be more complicated than that, more like a scene from Jeremy Kyle. They can split up and form other pairs in the early stages, although in most cases they stick together (as far as I am aware).

Deb London · #7 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 04:51 PM

I wouldn't have thought there'd be much to it. The girl Jackdaw finds a boy Jackdaw, who (to be honest) looks and sounds like any other Jackdaw. Bank balance, sense of humour, flashiness of car, etc, just don't come into it. If she likes Jackdaws, she likes Jackdaws. Simple as that.

I mean, I couldn't tell them apart, can she? I reckon she just hasn't realised that there's been a swap.