Gaio © Diogo Oliveira

Eurasian Jay

Garrulus glandarius

The Eurasian Jay is a corvid widely spread throughout the Palearctic. In Portugal, where it is mainly resident, it occurs across the continent with an almost uniform distribution, attending several wooded areas, such as oak, montado landscapes, pine forests and urban parks and gardens.

Its food is diverse and consists of invertebrates, seeds and fruits.

The scientific name of the Jay – Garrulus glandarius – alludes to two important features of the species: garrulus is a Latin term meaning “chatty” or “noisy”, emphasizing its strident vocalization, moreover, recognized as the “alarm of the woods”; glandarius refers to ability to harvest acorns (glandis).

Text: João E. Rabaça

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