jackdaw

[/ˈdʒækdɔː/]
nounmasculinepl: jackdaws
gralha-de-nuca-cinzenta
1. A small black bird of the crow family (Corvus monedula) with distinctive pale eyes and grey nape, native to Europe and western Asia
The jackdaw is often seen perching on old buildings and church steeples.
A gralha-de-nuca-cinzenta é frequentemente vista pousada em edifícios antigos e campanários.
2. A mischievous or thieving person, referring to the bird's habit of collecting shiny objects
He's a bit of a jackdaw, always pocketing small souvenirs.
Ele é meio gralha, sempre guardando pequenos souvenirs.
The jackdaw is iconic in European folklore and literature, particularly in British culture. It appears frequently in Aesop's Fables and is known for stealing shiny objects. The bird is considered intelligent and social, often featured in children's stories and classical works. In Brazil and Portugal, it is less culturally prominent but recognized by birdwatchers and ornithologists. The term 'jackdaw' is rarely used in American English, where the bird is not native.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
dawbirdcorvid

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
gralha-de-nuca-cinzenta
Standard ornithological term
Portugal
gralha-de-nuca-cinzenta or gralha-de-nuca
Common in Portuguese birdwatching contexts
General English
jackdaw
Most common in British English; less common in American English

Related Words

crowravenmagpierookcorvidae

Related Idioms & Phrases

as thieving as a jackdaw
jackdaw and magpie
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