The Jay, also called Jay (Garrulus glandarius) by Gert Hilbink

About "The Jay, also called Jay (Garrulus glandarius)"

by Gert Hilbink

About the artwork

The jay is 32 to 35 cm long. The nominate form of the bird, which is found in Benelux and elsewhere, is predominantly grey-brown with a pink tinge. The throat, underbelly, anal region, rump and part of the hand pens are white. Characteristic features are a broad black moustache stripe and a blue wing field composed of light blue feathers containing a fine black banding. When excited, the bird may raise its crown feathers, which are alternately light in colour with black. The jay finds food in trees and shrubs, in the air and on the ground; it covers a wide spectrum of animal and plant diet: insects and invertebrates (including many pests), acorns, beechnuts, hazelnuts and other seeds and nuts, fruits such as blackberries, cherries, raspberries and rowan berries. Its diet also includes small or young songbirds and eggs, as well as small rodents. With its strong beak, the jay chops holes in hard shells such as snail shells, nut shells and eggshells, and sweeps through soil, animal droppings and human waste.
The oak depends on the jay to disperse acorns: the jay transports them in its throat and between its beak to places with soft ground, then pushes them into the earth. This is how he builds up a winter supply. He only forgets some places. What is not recovered may grow into a new oak tree. For this reason, the jay is also called 'the greatest forester'. The German name for the jay (Eichelhäher) typifies its behaviour. The scientific name Garrulus glandarius translates freely as constantly scratching acorn seeker.(Garrulus glandarius)