Daurian Jackdaw

The Daurian Jackdaw is a compact, glossy corvid of the steppes and farmland of Mongolia, northern China, and the Russian Far East, wintering south into Korea and Japan. It is best known for its handsome pied plumage morph, in which large white patches wrap around the neck and underparts, though a less common all-black morph also occurs within the same populations.

Smaller and shorter-billed than a crow, it often mixes with rooks and other jackdaws in large winter flocks, where the pied birds stand out distinctly.

• Contour feathers from the neck and belly of pied individuals are crisp white, contrasting sharply with jet-black feathers from the crown, back, and wings
• Dark-morph feathers are uniformly glossy black with a faint bluish-purple sheen, similar to other jackdaws, making single feathers hard to separate without a known white companion feather
• Wing and tail feathers are relatively short and rounded compared to true crows, reflecting this species' smaller size
• The bill-adjacent throat feathers are dense and short, typical of jackdaws' more finely feathered face

Pied-morph adults show a bold white half-collar and white lower breast and belly against otherwise glossy black plumage, while dark-morph birds lack this white patterning almost entirely and can be confused with Rooks or other jackdaws at a distance. Juveniles are duller and sootier, with less crisp contrast between any white and black areas. A single complete molt follows the breeding season, replacing both morph types' feathers on the same annual schedule.

• Breeds across Mongolia, northern China, and southeastern Siberia in steppe, farmland, and open country with cliffs, buildings, or old trees for nesting
• Migratory in the northern part of its range, with many wintering further south in Korea, Japan, and eastern China
• Often found near human settlements, favoring open fields and pasture over dense forest

Daurian Jackdaws are highly social, often forming large mixed flocks with rooks and other corvids, especially at winter roosts and feeding grounds. They forage on the ground for grain, insects, and other invertebrates in fields and pastures, walking with a brisk gait typical of jackdaws. Nests are placed in cavities, cliff ledges, or old buildings, and the flight calls are sharp, chattering notes similar to other small jackdaws.