Jay

The jay (Garrulus glandarius) is known by that name alone in Britain and Ireland, but it is also known as the Eurasian jay to distinguish it from New World jays such as the blue jay and grey jay. It is the most colourful member of the crow family to be seen in the British Isles, although its habits make it difficult to see.

It is found throughout Europe except for Iceland and northern Scandinavia. In the UK it is absent from northern Scotland but resident in the rest of the country. It is a woodland bird, found in both coniferous and deciduous woods and forests, but it is sometimes seen in the open as it flies from one wooded area to another.

Appearance and behaviour

The jay is about 34-35 centimetres (13.5 inches) in length, with a wingspan of 54 centimetres (21 inches). This makes it one of the smaller crows, being about the same size as the jackdaw. It is thickset, with a short, strong bill and rounded wings.

The plumage, which is the same as between males and females, is brownish-pink both above and below. The crown of the head is white with black streaks. The throat is white with a black “moustache”. The wings are black and white with a flash of blue on the leading edge. The rump is white, which contrasts sharply with the black of the tail. It is this white area that catches the eye as the jay flies between woodland trees.

The flight is laboured, with jerky wing-beats. On the ground, the jay hops as it jerks its tail.

The jay is likely to be heard before it is seen. It has a harsh and loud barking cry that it utters when danger threatens, which means any human that it happens to see. However, the jay keeps quiet when close to its nest, preferring not to betray the nest’s presence, relying instead on being invisible in the dense branches. Jays often mimic woodland sounds, such as those produced by forestry workers on the ground below them.

Jays feed on both vegetable and animal matter, being particularly fond of acorns which they bury in the autumn as a winter food supply. However, they will also eat snails, worms, small mammals and the young and eggs of other bird species.

Breeding

Nest building takes place in April or May, often at a height of four metres or more above the ground, close to the forest edge. A structure of dry twigs is lined with plant material and roots, or sometimes moss and grass are used.

The clutch comprises five to seven eggs, laid at any time between late April and mid July. The female jay incubates alone, for 16 or 17 days. Both parents feed the young for up to 21 days, when the young leave the nest and roam the surrounding countryside. Several families may form a flock but, when flying in the open, flocks tend to disperse and only re-form when more woodland is reached. Only one brood is raised.

© John Welford