Scientific name: Garrulus glandarius (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bird group: Jays and Magpies
Field characters. 34 cm. Unmistakable; plumage basically light cinnamon-rufous, with erectile black and white striped crown feathers, black sub-moustachial stripe, blue and black barred wing coverts, white throat, white patch on folded wings and white rump and vent boldly contrasting with dark tail. Flies heavily, and is often seen hopping from branch to branch in trees.
Voice. When flushed, a coarse, loud "skraaawk" is uttered; also a variety of clicking and caterwauling sounds.
Distribution. A common resident for entire Eurasia. Northern populations disperse southward during winter.
Habitat. More arboreal than its family-members; always found in the vicinity of trees, and during winter particularly in oaks. Nests low in trees or in tall undergrowth. Generally a cautious bird, although nowadays also found in cities.
Food. Mainly fruits of all kinds (in particular acorns); also invertebrates and small mammals; notorious nest-robber.