Jackdaw visitor

Now, none of your Victorian superstitions, but this beautiful Jackdaw came down the chimney this afternoon and into the sitting room. It was surprisingly relaxed, so I grabbed a couple of shots before (in the nicest possible way) showing it the door.

Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula)

See previous post.

Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula)

Somewhat hidden from view hoping to shoot some brown rats (more of this later), I placed some peanuts on a fence post to see what might be attracted to them. I got lucky when this greedy Jackdaw turned up and proceeded to work his through every single nut – often, as can be seen here, taking away several at a time.

Canon 1Ds MkII, Canon 100-400mm IS USM lens, 1/8,000 sec, f/5.6, 400mm at ISO 500

Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)

I saw this jackdaw walking along a low wall and liked the contrast of the bird's intricate shades of blacks and greys against a clear background. The shot was exposed to retain this contrast and keep the bird very much the centre of attention.

Canon 1Ds MkII with Canon 100-400mm IS USM lens, 1/500 sec, f/8, 400mm at ISO 400

Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)

I have something of a soft spot for the corvids. I think it is the level of intelligence they can display and the wonderful folklore that surrounds many of the species in this taxonomic group. The Romans saw the Jackdaw as a warning of rain to follow; in some cultures a Jackdaw on the roof is said to be a harbinger of a new arrival; and – contrary to my belief that they are clever birds (in experiments, rooks, for example, have been proven capable of reasoned logic by learning to use a stone to access a food source) – I love the ancient Roman/Greek adage that "the swans will sing when the jackdaws are silent", meaning I suppose that the learned will be heard once the stupid have shut up! Capturing this Jackdaw in flight was relatively simple – it was mobbing Mallards and Black-headed Gulls for bread being thrown by an elderly couple at a creek on the Norfolk coast – but no less rewarding for that. I love the detail in the wing, tail and neck feathers and that keen eye focusing in on its target. The second shot – showing the daw coming in to land on a fence post out of frame – is reproduced here in black and white simply because I think the image worked better for it.

Both Canon 1Ds MkII, 1,5,000 sec, f/8, 336mm-400mm at ISO 400