The Eurasian Jay is a member of the crow family and as such exhibits many of the intelligent traits associated with Crows and Jackdaws etc. They have a pinkish brown plummage with a black stripe either side of the whitish throat and bright blue panels on the upper wing region. They are a woodland bird and occur over a vast region of western Europe, north-west Africa and as far as south east Asia. Feeding in the tree tops and on the ground their diet consists of invertebrates and seeds with a particular fondness for acorns and beechnuts. These are stored, to be used as food during the winter and early spring. During the breeding season the female will incubate the eggs whilst the male provides food during the gestation period. Both parents will feed and take care of the chicks once they hatch.

1. They are highly vocal and can mimic the calls of other birds such as hawks, this is thought to act as a warning to other birds in the vicinity and a deterrent to would be egg thieves such as Squirrels.
2. Eurasian Jays are highly intelligent and show problem solving behaviour, the use of simple tools is a common occurance.
3. They are a member of the Family Corvidae which includes, crows, magpies and ravens etc

• Length: 32-35cm
• Wingspan: 52-58cm
• Habitat: Broadleaf and coniferous woodland, parks and gardens
• Diet: Acorns, beechnuts and seeds. Also invertebrates and occasionally eggs