Jackdaws in Portugal
When the Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula) is present in Portugal, when it nests, and which native Portugal plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Portugal
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- March–June
- Size
- 34 cm, 240 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect jackdaws in Portugal
The Jackdaw lives in Portugal all year round. Mild, wet winters that attract many wintering European songbirds.
Mediterranean with strong Atlantic influence, wetter in the north.
Nesting in Portugal
In Portugal the Jackdaw usually nests March–June. Nest site: holes, chimneys and cliffs. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 17–18 days; chicks fledge after 28–35 days, and pairs raise 1 per year.
- The Jackdaw does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Portugal plants for jackdaws
Of the native plants we track for Portugal, these 8 provide food the Jackdaw uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.
Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Berries and nest sites in its tangles; moths for insect-eaters.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Goldfinches extract the seeds from standing heads in autumn and winter.
Early-summer cherries for Blackbirds and Jays.
Feeding in the garden
Omnivorous.
- Best foods: Suet, Kitchen scraps.
- Feeders: Open table.
- Fit chimney guards — Jackdaws nest in chimneys.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are jackdaws in Portugal all year?
Yes — the Jackdaw is resident in Portugal all year.
When do jackdaws nest in Portugal?
Typically March–June. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 17–18 days, with 1 per year.
Which native plants help jackdaws in Portugal?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Teasel, Wild cherry are native to Portugal and provide food or cover the Jackdaw uses.
Jackdaws in other countries
Other garden birds in Portugal
Sources
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.