Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandarius
The Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) is a common crows, jays, and magpi found in 76 countries, weighing about 159 g. The Eurasian jay, also known simply as the jay without any epithets in the United Kingdom and Ireland, is a species of passerine bird in the crow family Corvidae.
About the Eurasian Jay
The Eurasian jay, also known simply as the jay without any epithets in the United Kingdom and Ireland, is a species of passerine bird in the crow family Corvidae. It has pinkish brown plumage with a black stripe on each side of a whitish throat, a bright blue panel on the upper wing and a black tail. The Eurasian jay is a woodland bird that occurs over a vast region from western Europe and north-west Africa to the Indian subcontinent and farther to the eastern seaboard of Asia and down into south-east Asia. Across this vast range, several distinct racial forms have evolved which look different from each other, especially when comparing forms at the extremes of its range.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
What the Eurasian Jay sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Monaco, United States.
When to see it
The Eurasian Jay can be seen all year round, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Eurasian Jay?
- 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). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Eurasian Jay?
- The Eurasian Jay is a medium sized bird weighing about 159 g.
- Where can you see a Eurasian Jay?
- The Eurasian Jay occurs in 76 countries, including France, Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain.
- What does a Eurasian Jay sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Eurasian Jay on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Eurasian Jay?
- The Eurasian Jay is most easily confused with the Black-headed Jay and the Lidth's Jay.
Learn the Eurasian Jay for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.