Jay

Scientific name:

Garrulus glandarius

Status:

Resident, common.

Voice:

Loud, harsh, raucous calls, including “skaaak skaaak”- far carrying.

Length:

34-35 cm.

Wingspan:

51-57 cm.

Habitat:

Broad-leaved woodland, also conifers.

Behaviour:

Depends on acorns in winter, these are cached in autumn.

Physical appearance:

A small crow, the most colourful in Europe. Sexes alike. Adult body pinkish-brown with white rump and under tail coverts, white forehead and crown steaked black and broad black moustachial stripe. Wings black with white at the base of outermost secondaries forming short bar on closed wings, outer greater coverts, primary coverts and bastard wing have shiny blue bars. Bill dark, legs pale brown.

Juvenile:

Juvenile similar to adult, but plumage redder and crown less streaked.