Jay

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Jay in the UK

A fairly common resident, with about 170,000 territories in the UK. The population is stable over the long term, having recovered from a dip after the late 1980s, and it is Green-listed. Jays occupy about 70 per cent of the UK and the breeding range has grown by 17.5 per cent since the first atlas, with most of the gains in the north and west. It is missing from treeless uplands and the far north. In some autumns, birds from the Continent arrive when the acorn crop fails there.

Where and when to see a Jay

Broadleaved woodland, above all oak, plus parks, conifer plantations and wooded gardens. It is shy for most of the year. September to November is the time to look, when Jays fly back and forth across open ground carrying acorns to bury. Watch the gaps between woods and lines of oaks in early morning. In winter and spring, some visit garden feeders for peanuts.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Oak woodland.
Diet: Acorns, invertebrates.
Field note: Shy; noisy screech.

How to identify a Jay

A little smaller than a Woodpigeon. The body is pinkish-brown, with a black moustache and a pale, streaked crown that it can raise as a crest. Each wing has a patch of bright blue barred with black, and a white panel. The key flight view is from behind: a square white rump against a black tail as the bird flies away. The wings are broad and rounded and the flight looks floppy and laboured. It hops on the ground and is usually seen alone or in pairs.

Call and song

A harsh, rasping screech, 'skaaak', like cloth being torn. It is usually the first sign that a Jay is near. It also mimics other birds, often the mewing call of a Buzzard. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Eurasian Hoopoe: Hoopoe is smaller and sandy-pink with black-and-white barred wings, a long curved bill and a fan crest.
• Magpie: Magpie is black and white with a very long tail, and shows white wing tips, not a white rump, in flight.

Related guide Bird migration in Britain.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Jay is an Uncommon tier bird, worth +3 points when you log one. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Common FirecrestUncommon · Conifers
• Eurasian WoodcockUncommon · Damp deciduous woodland
• Garden WarblerUncommon · Scrub
• Green WoodpeckerUncommon · Parkland
• HawfinchUncommon · Mature woodland (rare)
• Marsh TitUncommon · Mature deciduous woodland

Jay: quick answers

What does a Jay eat?

Acorns are the staple in autumn and winter, and each bird buries a large store to dig up later. It also eats beechmast, nuts, fruit, insects, and the eggs and chicks of small birds in spring. Acorns it never recovers grow into new oaks.

What habitat does Jay live in?

Woodland with plenty of cover, most often broadleaved and especially oak. It also uses conifer plantations, wooded parks, large gardens and old hedgerows with trees. It avoids open country apart from short flights between woods.

When is the best time to see Jay?

October, when acorn-carrying is at its peak and leaves are thinning. Birds fly high and in the open at this time, sometimes several in a loose line. A typical Jay lives about four years, though one ringed bird reached 16.

Kit that helps

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