Habitat:
Urban areas, coastal cliffs and open countryside

Activity period :
Primarily active during the day, with peak activity in the morning and late afternoon.

Identification and description:
The western jackdaw is a 34–39 cm corvid with dark slate-grey plumage and a black cap, notable for its pale, piercing eyes. Found throughout Europe and western Asia, it inhabits urban areas, coastal cliffs and open countryside, feeding on insects, seeds, small invertebrates and eggs. An opportunistic omnivore, it nests in natural or built cavities and may form large colonies.

Recommended lens:
300 mm – adjust based on distance, desired framing (portrait or habitat), and approach conditions.

Photography tips:
Photograph the western jackdaw early morning or late afternoon using a telephoto lens of ≥300 mm from a low hide at the urban edge or cliff. Use a fast shutter speed to freeze its flights and a shallow depth of field to isolate its pale eyes against the dark plumage.