Bird Guide

Black-headed Jay vs Eurasian Jay

Black-headed Jay (Garrulus lanceolatus)

Black-headed Jay

Garrulus lanceolatus

Medium98 gForest

The black-headed jay is roughly the same size as its close relative the Eurasian jay, but a little more slender overall. The head is mostly black with white streaks on the throat and a more obvious crest compared to the Eurasian jay. The bill is pale and slightly shorter and thicker compared to its close relative. The tail is also longer. It has a very similar voice to the Eurasian jay, but with longer pauses between calls. The call is most often a harsh "kraaa", which can sound either raspy or more nasal.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: AvyaktaShashi · CC0
Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)

Eurasian Jay

Garrulus glandarius

Medium159 gForest

The Eurasian jay is a relatively small corvid, similar in size to a western jackdaw (Coloeus monedula) with a length of 34–35 cm (13–14 in) and a wingspan of 52–58 cm (20–23 in). The nominate race has light rufous brown to a pinkish brown body plumage. The whitish throat is bordered on each side by a prominent black moustache stripe. The forehead and crown are whitish with black stripes. The rump is white. The complex colouring on the upper surface of the wing includes black and white bars and a prominent bright blue patch with fine black bars. The tail is mainly black. Voice: The most characteristic call is a harsh, rasping screech that is used upon sighting various predators and as an advertising call. The jay is well known for its mimicry, often sounding so like a different species that it is difficult to distinguish its true identity unless the bird is seen.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Eurasian Jay
Recorded by Christian Kahle · Uncertain · Schneverdingen, Germany · CC0
Photo: Михаил Языков · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

Learn this pair in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Black-headed Jay and Eurasian Jay.