The Daurian Jackdaws (Corvus dauuricus) belongs to the crow family and is closely related to the Eurasian Jackdaw.
Description
The Daurian Jackdaw averages 32 cm in length.
It has a mostly black upper plumage and large areas of creamy white on the lower parts extending up around the neck as a thick collar.
The head, throat, wings, and tail are glossy black and the ear coverts (feathers covering the ears) are grizzled grey. The iris is dark in this species.
Similar Species
The only other pied species around is the Chinese Collared Crow (C. torquatus) but as this is a much larger bird (about the same size or slightly larger than the Carrion Crow (C. corone) confusion is unlikely to occur.
Distribution and Habitat
The Daurian Jackdaws occur from the more southerly part of eastern Siberia, south to Mongolia, and down into all of China. In the north of their range, they migrate further south during the winter.
They inhabit open woodland, river valleys, and open hills and mountains.
Diet
They feed on cultivated grains, insects, and berries, and feed on insects from animal dung.
Nesting
The Daurian Jackdaw nests in trees in tree cavities, rock openings, or ruined buildings.
