The Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius atricapillus) is a common bird from western Europe to northwest Africa, India, and Asia. The atricapillus is from the Middle East, Crimea, Turkey, and Georgia.

The Eurasian Jay has a black crown, white face, black chin, and black beak. Its back feathers are brown-grey, and its underparts are brown-grey. Its wings are black and white with black and blue barring. Its tail is black with barring. Its feet are pink-grey.

It prefers woodlands, particularly forests that have oak trees. It feeds on insects, young birds, bats, mice, oak seeds (acorns), other seeds, fruits and berries.

It nests in trees or large shrubs. Females lay 4–6 eggs that hatch after 16–19 days. The chicks gain their full feathers after 21–23 days. Both the male and the female parent feeds and looks after their chicks.

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[Location of photographs: Tbilisi, Georgia; London, England; and Paris, France}

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM