jackdaws

IPA/ˈdʒæk.dɔː/
IPA/ˈdʒæk.dɑː/

jackdaws — noun

  • jackdawssingular
  • jackdawsesplural

1. small black-and-gray birds related to crows, especially in Europe and nearby reg

1.nounC1
Definition

small black-and-gray birds related to crows, especially in Europe and nearby regions, sometimes noted for carrying shiny objects to their nests.

Example

A flock of jackdaws circled around the church tower at sunset.

a flock of jackdaws in a typical outdoor scene

Yumi watched two jackdaws hop across the picnic table for crumbs.

Common collocations
  • a flock of jackdaws
  • jackdaws on the roof
  • jackdaws in the chimney
  • jackdaws carrying shiny objects
Synonyms
  • crow

    a broader everyday word for related black birds; jackdaws are smaller and more specific

  • rook

    a close relative, but usually larger and more associated with open fields and nesting colonies

  • corvid

    a technical family term for crow-like birds rather than the usual everyday word

Grammar Patterns

jackdaws + plural verb

a jackdaw / two jackdaws

a flock of jackdaws

Usage Note

The singular form is 'jackdaw'. In ordinary use, people often mention these birds in groups, as in 'a flock of jackdaws' or 'jackdaws on the roof'.

Common Mistakes

A jackdaws was sitting on the wall.
A jackdaw was sitting on the wall.
after 'a', use the singular form 'jackdaw', not the plural 'jackdaws'.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For noun sense 1, jackdaw names a particular small crow found mainly in Europe and nearby regions. Crow is the broad everyday word when the exact species does not matter. Rook is a close relative, but it is usually larger and is more strongly linked with fields and large nesting groups. Magpie is also known for taking shiny objects, yet it is black and white with a much longer tail, so it is not the same bird. Raven suggests a far bigger, heavier wild bird. Compare: 'Jackdaws were calling from the church roof' sounds exact, while 'crows' would be less specific.

crow ↗rookmagpieraven ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • a flock of jackdaws
  • jackdaws circling overhead
  • jackdaws carrying shiny objects

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The modern word was formed in Middle English by combining Jack, a familiar personal name, with daw, an older English bird name. Over time, the combined form became the standard name for this small crow.

First known use

1543

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1