Key information
Although they are the most colourful members of the crow family, jays are actually quite difficult to see. They are shy woodland birds, rarely moving far from cover. The screaming call usually lets you know a jay is nearby and it is usually given when a bird is on the move, so watch for a bird flying between the trees with its distinctive flash of white on the rump. Jays are famous for their acorn feeding habits and in the autumn you may see them burying acorns for retrieving later in the winter.
What they eat:
Mainly acorns, nuts, seeds and insects, but also eats nestlings of other birds and small mammals.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 34-35cm
- Wingspan:
- 52-58cm
- Weight:
- 140-190g
Population:
- UK breeding:
- 170,000 territories
Identifying features:
Jay
