#jays

Eurasian Jay

(Garrulus Glandarius)

Image by Luc Viatour.

Status: Least Concern (IUCN)

The Eurasian jay is a relatively small corvid with pinkish brown plumage, a white rump, and a whitish throat with a black stripe on each side. They have a black tail and a bright blue spot on their upper wing with fine black barring which makes them easy to identify. This species covers a vast range, spanning from western Europe and northwest Africa to the Indian subcontinent, and even further to the eastern seaboard of Asia and southeast Asia. Across this massive range, many subspecies and racial groups have evolved with different appearances, so the previous description is of the nominate race. I really don't feel like describing all of them.