Jackdaws derive their names from their sharp 'jack' calls.
The 'daw' part comes from the calls of other crows such as rooks that were written down as 'caw' or 'daw'. In fact, it is believed that the word 'crow' actually comes from the 'caw' sound of its call. So, slowly but surely, these small, charming crows became know as 'Jack the daw', and were eventually shortened over time to the name we know now, jackdaw. Jackdaws are the smallest of the 'black' crows found in Ireland. This black face highlights the distinctive white eye that gives jackdaws that cheeky, mischievous and intelligent look.