Daurian Jackdaw

The Daurian jackdaw is a compact corvid roughly 32cm long. Many adults are strikingly pied, with creamy-white underparts and a broad pale collar contrasting with a glossy black head, throat, wings and tail; the ear coverts are grizzled grey. Dark adults and juveniles resemble western jackdaws, but Daurian jackdaws have dark irises rather than that species' conspicuous pale eyes. The larger collared crow is unlikely to be confused with this smaller, neater bird. (Wikipedia, Daurian jackdaw account)

The species ranges from eastern Siberia south through Mongolia and much of China, inhabiting open woodland, river valleys, hills and mountains. Northern birds move south in winter. It is social and is often found with rooks. Its varied diet includes cultivated grain, insects, berries, eggs and carrion. Favoured nest sites include tree hollows, openings in rocks and ruined buildings, though birds may construct nests in trees when suitable cavities are unavailable. (Wikipedia, Daurian jackdaw account)