Diminutive members of the crow family, jackdaws are renowned for their love - and often theft - of bright, shiny objects. Herein might lie the origins of their common name, as 'jack' is used traditionally to denote something smaller than the norm, and also to refer to a rogue or thief. In both cases the jackdaw doesn't disappoint. The 'daw' is probably an imitation from its cawing call, but can also mean a simpleton. Those with open fires may well consider the jackdaw a pest as their messy nests of sticks and twigs often block chimneys, and have been known to fall down them - bird included.

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