| Eurasian Jay | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Corvidae |
| Genus: | Garrulus |
| Species: | Garrulus glandarius |
The Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) is a species of corvid occurring over a vast region from Western Europe and north-west Africa to the eastern seaboard of Asia and down into south-east Asia.
Description[]
This bird's length is from 30 to 36 cm and weighs from 140 to 190 g. The Eurasian Jay is easily recognizable by its remarkable, colorful plumage, striped with black and white on the crested head. There is a black band under the eye which gives the impression that it wears a sort of black mustache. The bird's body plumage is pinkish brown above and below. Its tail is black, its rump and underbelly are white, and its primary coverts are bright blue and black, being duller on the primary flight feathers. The plumage of the young is not complete until after about twenty days, and appears duller than that of the adults. They have only a few white and black streaks at the top of the head, while adults have about ten. The black mark extending from the bill is less marked than in adults. The different subspecies are distinguished in particular by certain peculiarities of the plumage.
Distribution and Habitat[]
A member of the widespread jay group, and about the size of the Jackdaw, this distinctive Eurasian corvid inhabits mixed woodland, particularly with oaks, and is an habitual acorn hoarder. In recent years, the bird has begun to migrate into urban areas, possibly as a result of continued erosion of its woodland habitat.
Voice[]
Its usual call is the alarm call, which is a harsh, rasping screech used upon sighting various predatory animals. However, the Jay is well known for its mimicry, often sounding so like a different species that it is virtually impossible to distinguish its true identity unless the bird is seen. It will even imitate the sound of the bird it is attacking, such as a Tawny Owl, crow or magpie, which it does mercilessly if attacking during the day.
Behavior[]
Of the crow family, the Eurasian Jay seems to be able to out-wit and dominate other species such as Magpies and Crows despite a slight size disadvantage.
Diet and Feeding[]
Feeding both in trees and on the ground, it takes a wide range of invertebrates including many pest insects, acorns (oak seeds, which it buries for use during winter), beech mast and other seeds, fruits such as blackberries and rowan berries, young birds and eggs and small rodents. In some urban areas, the Jay has been known to raid garden birdfeeders, taking a particular liking to shelled peanuts. When they find a food-source they can swallow a surprising amount whole and hold some in their beak before flying off. Presumably this is then regurgitated, and de-shelled. There is also anecdotal evidence to suggest they observe squirrels, magpies and other animals to locate their food source.
Breeding[]
It nests in trees or large shrubs and occasionally in tree hollows, laying usually 4–6 eggs that hatch after 16–19 days. The nest, 21 to 30 cm in diameter, is made of thin branches, while the inner walls of the nest are made of dry stems of herbaceous plants. The deep tray is lined with elastic roots, blades of grass and wool. The chicks fledge generally after 21–23 days. Both sexes take part in incubation and feeding the young. Parents feed their chicks for another 12-14 days after they leave the nest.
Predators[]
The Jay is a potential prey item for owls at night and other birds of prey such as Goshawks and Peregrines during the day.
Gallery[]
