Jackdaws in Wales
When the Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula) is present in Wales, when it nests, and which native Wales plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Wales
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–June
- Size
- 34 cm, 240 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
- Delivery
- Perch Supply ships to the UK
When to expect jackdaws in Wales
The Jackdaw lives in Wales all year round. Mild coastal winters; the uplands see snow and birds move down into valley gardens.
Mild, wet maritime climate with upland moorland and sheltered coastal valleys.
Nesting in Wales
In Wales 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 Wales plants for jackdaws
Of the native plants we track for Wales, 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.
Seed heads for Goldfinches and a nectar source for insects.
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 Wales all year?
Yes — the Jackdaw is resident in Wales all year.
When do jackdaws nest in Wales?
Typically April–June. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 17–18 days, with 1 per year.
Which native plants help jackdaws in Wales?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Teasel, Common knapweed are native to Wales and provide food or cover the Jackdaw uses.
Jackdaws in other countries
Other garden birds in Wales
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.