Bird 🐦
🐦
Garrulus glandarius
| Size | 34–35 cm About the size of a Jackdaw |
|---|---|
| Weight | 140–190 g About the weight of a large orange |
| Lifespan | 4 years |
| Rarity | Common |
| M vs F | Sexes look identical — both have the same pink-brown body, black moustache and brilliant blue wing patch |
| Habitat | Deciduous and mixed woodland, parks, large gardens with mature oak trees |
| Best time | Year-round; most visible in autumn during acorn harvesting |
| Conservation | UK: Green LC |
Did you know?
A single Jay can bury up to 5,000 acorns in autumn — and remembers where most of them are. The ones it forgets help regenerate oak woodland, making Jays one of Britain's most important forest engineers
A single Jay can bury up to 5,000 acorns in autumn — and remembers where most of them are. The ones it forgets help regenerate oak woodland, making Jays one of Britain's most important forest engineers
More for experts
Jays can mimic the calls of other birds — including Buzzards — with remarkable accuracy. A Jay mimicking a Buzzard near a feeder may be attempting to scare off competing birds
Often confused with
Magpie (black and white, longer tail), Jackdaw (grey and black, no blue wing flash)
Magpie (black and white, longer tail), Jackdaw (grey and black, no blue wing flash)