>> GENERAL >>>>>
– fairly large passerine, about size of Western Jackdaw
– diurnal migrant
– migrates singly or in small to medium, rather loose flocks
– in some years irruptions of Eastern populations
– foraging or post-breeding parties often mistaken for migrants in Autumn
>> FLIGHT >>>>>
– slow but steady flight during migration
– usually very low
>> VISUAL ID >>>>>
– a distinctively colourful bird
– striking bright blue greater coverts, white forehead and rump
– strikingly round wings
Eurasian Jay Garrulus g. glandarius
BIF3702, 13/04/2018, Havelland, Germany, Mathias Putze
– isabelline body-feathers in combination with flashy wing colours make this species almost unmistakable
Eurasian Jay Garrulus g. glandarius
BIF3703, 13/04/2018, Havelland, Germany, Mathias Putze
Eurasian Jay Garrulus g. glandarius
BIF3704, 13/04/2018, Havelland, Germany, Mathias Putze
Eurasian Jay Garrulus g. glandarius
BIF3705, 13/04/2018, Havelland, Germany, Mathias Putze
Eurasian Jay Garrulus g. glandarius
BIF3706, 03/03/2021, Stüdenitz, Germany, Patrick Franke
Eurasian Jay Garrulus g. glandarius
BIF3707, 30/09/2021, Christinendorf, Germany, Patrick Franke
– white throat and rump even recognisable from a greater distance
Eurasian Jay Garrulus g. glandarius
BIF3708, 26/10/2021, Budy, Poland, Patrick Franke
– note the conspicuously round wings
Eurasian Jay Garrulus g. glandarius
BIF3709, 26/10/2021, Budy, Poland, Patrick Franke
– on poor photos, without clues to flight patterns, the species can even be confused with large thrushes
Eurasian Jay Garrulus g. glandarius
BIF3710, 19/04/2018, Havelland, Germany, Mathias Putze
Eurasian Jay Garrulus g. glandarius
BIF3711, 19/04/2018, Havelland, Germany, Mathias Putze
Eurasian Jay Garrulus g. glandarius
BIF3712, 19/04/2018, Havelland, Germany, Mathias Putze
>> SOUND ID >>>>>
– normally silent and inconspicuous during migration flights, but larger parties sometimes very noisy (maybe near roosts or foraging spots)
>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>
Spotted Nutcracker (v)
Eurasian Magpie (v)
Western Jackdaw (v)
Eurasian Hoopoe (v)
Mistle Thrush (v)
#songbird #passerine
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