Jackdaws in Switzerland
When the Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula) is present in Switzerland, when it nests, and which native Switzerland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Switzerland
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–June
- Size
- 34 cm, 240 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect jackdaws in Switzerland
The Jackdaw lives in Switzerland all year round. Snowy winters in the mountains; milder on the Swiss plateau and around the lakes.
Temperate-continental in the plateau, Alpine in the mountains.
Nesting in Switzerland
In Switzerland the Jackdaw usually nests April–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 Switzerland plants for jackdaws
Of the native plants we track for Switzerland, 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.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Goldfinches extract the seeds from standing heads in autumn and winter.
Early-summer cherries for Blackbirds and Jays.
Windfalls sustain thrushes and Fieldfares into winter.
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 Switzerland all year?
Yes — the Jackdaw is resident in Switzerland all year.
When do jackdaws nest in Switzerland?
Typically April–June. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 17–18 days, with 1 per year.
Which native plants help jackdaws in Switzerland?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Bramble, Teasel, Wild cherry, Crab apple are native to Switzerland and provide food or cover the Jackdaw uses.
Jackdaws in other countries
Other garden birds in Switzerland
Sources
- Jackdaw — RSPB bird guide
- Jackdaw — BTO BirdFacts
- Swiss Breeding Bird Atlas — Swiss Ornithological Institute
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.