Eurasian jay / Eichelhäher (Garrulus glandarius)

Eichelhäher bei Levanto. 2024-05-30 06:08:10 Levanto

Observations

First documented observation: 2020-04-17 in Wald Fehraltorf. Most recent observation: 2025-05-08 in Wildert.

Description

Classification: Genus Garrulus (Garrulus); Family Corvidae (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]

Seasonal behavior

Year-round bird
Breeding: 04-11 - 06-29
Migration in: 04-01 - 06-09
Migration out: 08-29 - 11-06
More details at Vogelwarte.ch

Other Details

Physical details

Physical details: length=34-35 cm, wingspan=52-58 cm, weight=140-190 g
Habitats: Forest

Vocalisation

Song: Harsh crow-like call, or quiet questioning, 'grumbling', or plaintive cries.
Song:Quiet and varied subsong with mimicry, resembling a small passerine heard from both sexes. [Link] Song attributes: Melody: non-musical, fast, Frequency: medium (1-5 KHz) Special sounds: cawing, mimicry
Calls: 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] 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.

XC536051 Eurasian Jay harsh call 20s.
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2: We saw and heard a jay (Eichelhaeher) at the Pfaeffikersee imitating a common buzzard - very cool.

XC97136 - Eurasian Jay - Garrulus glandarius - imitating common buzzard.
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Call attributes: Call melody: one note, slow, Frequency: medium (1-5 KHz), Special sounds: rasp.