Eurasian Jay
Least ConcernGarrulus glandarius
Visual Identification
Eurasian Jay
Appearance
The Eurasian Jay is a striking bird with a pinkish-brown body, blue wing patch, and black tail. Its head features a black-streaked crest and a distinctive black 'moustache' stripe. The wings display a pattern of black, white, and bright blue feathers.
Both sexes look similar, with juveniles appearing duller overall. The bird's plumage remains consistent throughout the year, with no significant seasonal changes.
Size
Length
32cm to 35cm
Wingspan
52cm to 58cm
Weight
140g to 190g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Pink Blue Black
Secondary Colour
White Brown
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Pink
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Eurasian Jays inhabit deciduous and mixed woodlands across much of Europe, parts of North Africa, and eastward through Asia. They prefer mature forests with oak trees but also adapt to coniferous woods and urban parks.
In the UK, they are widespread in England and Wales, with an expanding presence in Scotland. The species is non-migratory, maintaining year-round territories throughout its range.
Elevation Range
Up to 1,800 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Mediterranean
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Eurasian Jays are omnivorous, with a diet that varies seasonally. They primarily feed on acorns, nuts, and seeds but also consume insects, small vertebrates, and eggs. Their habit of caching acorns plays a crucial role in oak forest regeneration, as not all stored acorns are retrieved.
Jays are usually shy around humans, but they will eat peanuts, monkey nuts, and suet at the bird table if left undisturbed.
Behaviour
Eurasian Jays are known for their intelligence and adaptability. They exhibit caching behaviour, storing acorns and other food items for later consumption.
These birds are typically shy and wary around humans, often fleeing at the first sign of disturbance. In social settings, they communicate through various calls and body language.
Vocalisation
Eurasian Jays are known for their varied vocalisations. Their most recognisable call is a harsh, rasping 'schaach' often given as an alarm. They also produce softer, warbling notes during courtship and can mimic other birds and even mechanical sounds. In flight, they may emit a 'kschaach' call.
These intelligent birds also mimic other birds and even mammals like horses and cats.
Nesting & Breeding
Eurasian Jays form monogamous pairs and breed once annually, typically from April to June. Courtship involves soft calls and mutual feeding between partners.
The nest, a platform of twigs lined with rootlets and hair, is usually built in a tree or large bush, 2-4 meters above ground. Females lay 4-6 eggs, pale green to olive in colour with brown speckles.
Incubation lasts about 16-19 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 19-23 days but remain dependent on adults for several weeks after leaving the nest.
Lifespan
years
The Eurasian Jay typically lives for 4 to 7 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While the Eurasian Jay is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, it faces localised threats from habitat loss and fragmentation. In some areas, it benefits from the expansion of suburban gardens, which provide additional food sources. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining diverse woodland habitats.
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for their harsh, screeching call, which often reveals their presence before they're seen
- Look for flashes of blue in deciduous and mixed woodlands
- Flight is characteristically bouncy
- Observe bird feeders in gardens near wooded areas, where they may visit for nuts
- Outside of the breeding season, jays may form small groups, but the species generally prefer a solitary existence
- In the UK, watch for them gathering acorns in autumn
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Jay
Family:
CorvidaePredators
Did You Know?
- Eurasian Jays can remember the locations of up to 3,000 stored acorns.
- The Jay is one of nature’s most important planters of acorns. They play a crucial role in forest ecology by dispersing tree seeds.
- These birds have been observed using tools in captivity, demonstrating their high intelligence.
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FAQs
How do Jays plant trees?
Jays shape the natural environment and create the habitats they require by planting oak trees. A single Jay may bury over 2,000 acorns before the winter, and many of these will germinate. By transporting acorns into old fields, Jays can even regenerate woodlands destroyed by human activities like farming.
Is a Jay a Magpie?
Jays and Magpies are both from the Corvidae family, although they are not the same birds. Magpies are pied, long-tailed birds from the Pica genus, while Jays are smaller, more colourful species from the Garrulus genus.
Are there Jays in London?
Despite their woodland heritage, Jays are reasonably common in London’s parks and gardens. There, they are more habituated to our presence and may be bolder and easier to observe than their wilder relatives.
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2017. Garrulus glandarius (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T103723684A118779004.
View source - 3
report, 2015: EBCC