Daurian Jackdaw
Coloeus dauuricus
Small stout crow; often seen in large flocks, sometimes with other crows. Adult’s white neck and belly are unique in the region. Immature birds have pale gray cheeks but are otherwise black overall. Favors open areas with scattered trees; also around human habitation, particularly in agricultural fields. Gives nasal yelps, yaps, and caws.
Identification
At about 32 cm (13 in) in length, the Daurian jackdaw is about the same size as or slightly smaller than the western jackdaw, with the same proportions and identical habits. The principal difference lies in the plumage; many but not all adults have large areas of creamy white on the lower parts extending up around the neck as a broad collar. The head, throat, wings, and tail are glossy black and the ear coverts are grizzled grey. Darker adults and young birds resemble western jackdaws, though Daurian jackdaws have black irises, unlike the distinctive grey-white irises of the Eurasian jackdaw. The only other pied corvid species inhabiting the same region is the Chinese collared crow (Corvus torquatus), but as this is a much larger bird (about the same size or slightly larger than the carrion crow), confusion is unlikely to occur.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Coloeus dauuricus
- Authority
- (Pallas, 1776)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Corvidae
- Genus
- Coloeus
Range and habitat
The Daurian jackdaw ranges from the southern part of eastern Siberia, south to Mongolia and throughout much of China. In the north of its range it migrates further south during the winter. It is a scarce winter visitor to Korea, a rare annual winter visitor to Japan, and a vagrant to Taiwan. There are a few records from Western Europe. It inhabits open woodland, river valleys, and open hills and mountains.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
It is a sociable species often found in association with rooks.<p>The food is similar to that of the western jackdaw and includes cultivated grains, insects, berries, eggs, carrion, and faeces.<p>The species will nest in trees where suitable cavities cannot be found, though tree hollows, rock openings and ruined buildings are still favoured. The eggs are similar to those of the western jackdaw.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Taliabu Fantail
Rhipidura sulaensis
A lively little rufous songbird with a conspicuously long tail that is often cocked and fanned. Upperside is rufous except for darker brown band at end of tail. Head is earth-brown with a rufous brow and a striking white throat. Black chest patch contrasts with buff underparts. Pairs or single birds regularly attend mixed-species flocks, mainly in forests of foothills and mountains, but also within lowlands. Restricted to Taliabu Island, where it is the only fantail. Song is a sequence of descending tinkling notes, followed by tremulous notes up and down the scale. Call is a low-pitched “chep.”
White-capped Dipper
Cinclus leucocephalus
The only dipper in its range, and thus unlikely to be confused. Chunky and boldly patterned in blackish and white, with obvious white crown and underparts (somewhat variable in different parts of range). Sexes similar. A denizen of fast-moving streams and rivers with plenty of rocks to perch on. Fairly widely distributed in the Andes from Venezuela to Bolivia; can be found from 700–3,500 m. Usually seen singly or in pairs, quite conspicuous as they perch on boulders or fly along the river. Gives a piercing “dzeet!” call, especially in flight.
Brown-capped Vireo
Vireo leucophrys
Rather plain vireo of humid evergreen and pine-evergreen forest in highlands and foothills. Northern populations (Mexico to Nicaragua) look and sound much like Warbling Vireo, but with browner upperparts and a distinctly brown cap. Usually at middle to upper levels in trees, where sings persistently in summer. Southern populations (Costa Rica to South America) have different song and distinct yellowish wash on breast and belly.
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