Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)

OTHER NAMES: Jay
Latin Etymology: Garrulus ("chattering") glandarius ("of acorns")

Adult Eurasian Jay (subspecies G. g. jordansi) at Siracusa, Italy - May 2018

Featured Subspecies: Garrulus glandarius jordansi
Weight: 160g  /  Length: 32-36cm  /  Wingspan: 56cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Out of the generally bold crow family, the jay is a bit of an anomaly - firstly it is not black, but in fact quite a colourful woodland bird with a brilliant iridescent blue patch. In contrast to this, it is actually a very secretive bird, and if you encounter it in the countryside, the best you are likely to see is it flying away from you in the opposite direction. For much better views, I strongly recognise parks in Cities, the Jays I've encountered in London are not easier to see, at times they aren't bothered by you at all. Listen out for their distinctive raucous call to tell when they are nearby.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Garrulus
Subspecies: G. g. rufitergum, G. g. hibernicus, G. g. hibernicus, G. g. severtzowi, G. g. lusitanicus, G. g. fasciatus, G. g. corsicanus, G. g. albipectus, G. g. jordansi, G. g. ichnusae, G. g. graecus, G. g. cretorum, G. g. glaszneri, G. g. fernandi, G. g. minor, G. g. cervicalis, G. g. whitakeri, G. g. atricapillus, G. g. anatoliae, G. g. samios, G. g. iphigenia, G. g. krynicki, G. g. hyrcanus, G. g. japonicus, G. g. tokugawae, G. g. hiugaensis, G. g. orii, G. g. namiyei, G. g.s sinensis, G. g. taivanus, G. g. persaturatus, G. g. bispecularis, G. g. interstinctus, G. g. oatesi, G. g. leucotis, G. g. haringtoni  

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Fairly common resident breeding species (170,000 territories) 

 - Birds seen at a number of sites including Regent's Park and Geddington.  

ITALY - Italian -  Ghiandaia

A common resident.

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP - Seen at Syracuse     

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto