Eurasian jay / Eichelhäher (Garrulus glandarius)

Eichelhaeher for profile. 2020-04-17 08.48.34 Wald Fehraltorf
Classification: Genus Garrulus; Family Corvidae
General: The Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius) is a species of bird occurring over a vast region from western Europe and north-west Africa to the Indian subcontinent and further to the eastern seaboard of Asia and down into south-east Asia. Across its vast range, several very distinct racial forms have evolved to look very different from each other, especially when forms at the extremes of its range are compared. [more]
Vocalization: Large repertoire. Many other social sounds. [Link]
Song: Quiet and varied subsong with mimicry, resembling a small passerine heard from both sexes. [Link]
Calls: Most heard call a short, drawn and very hoarse, raspy sound, often given in quick successions. Also a Buzzard-like, mewing "peeeaaa" (more drawn and less full tone than Siberian Jay). [Link]
Physical details: length=34-35 cm, wingspan=52-58 cm, weight=140-190 g
Habitats: Forest

Song: Harsh crow-like call, or quiet questioning, 'grumbling', or plaintive cries.
Song attributes: Melody: non-musical, fast, Frequency: medium (1-5 KHz) Special sounds: cawing, mimicry
Calls: 1: Typically harsh jay call. I would say a contact call usually means 'Here I am', answered by 'Good, here I am.' Listening to two jays in the Swiss mountains of Toggenburg, it sounded like 'HEY IDIOT, HERE I AM...WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU?' 'WHAT? YOU HAVEN'T FIGURE IT OUT? OF COURSE I'M OVER HERE. PEABRAIN.' On the other hand, anthropomorphism is always dangerous, usually completely wrong approach.
2: We saw and heard a jay (Eichelhaeher) at the Pfaeffikersee imitating a common buzzard - very cool.

♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC97136 - Eurasian Jay - Garrulus glandarius - imitating common buzzard.mp3 (Imitation of another bird's call)


Call attributes: Call melody: one note, slow, Frequency: medium (1-5 KHz), Special sounds: rasp.
First documented observation : 2020-04-17 in Wald Fehraltorf.