Eurasian jay

Garrulus glandarius

About

The Eurasian jay is one of the most vibrant birds of the Carpathian forest. In Ukraine, it is settled in Polissia, the Forest-Steppe, the Carpathians, and Crimea, while in winter it migrates to steppe regions. The Eurasian jay prefers deciduous and mixed forests, especially those with oak, but it can also be found in coniferous forests, young growths, parks, and gardens. In the Polish mountains, it has been encountered up to an altitude of 1400 m.

The bird is about 34 cm long and weighs 147–196 g. Its body is pink-brown, with a mottled crest on its head, a black 'moustache' running down from the beak, and black-and-white wings featuring a bright blue 'mirror' with a thin black stripe. In flight, its white undertail and black tail are clearly visible. Blue feathers of the Eurasian jay are often found on forest paths.

The voice of the Eurasian jay is a sharp creaky call, and it is most often recognized by this sound. The Eurasian jay is rightly called the guardian of the forest: it signals forest inhabitants about the presence of humans much earlier than a person notices the jay itself.

The Eurasian jay is omnivorous, but over time, its diet increasingly consists of plant food: acorns, beech and forest nuts, and berries. When acorns ripen, jays hide them for winter, and in winter, they dig them out from under the snow. Some acorns remain in hiding until spring, from which young oaks grow. The Eurasian jay is not listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Where in the Carpathians

fewermore20 831 records in the Carpathians

The map shows where naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records), not every place it lives. The Ukrainian Carpathians are less studied, so a blank area does not mean the species is absent.

Countries: Slovakia · Poland · Czechia · Romania · Hungary · Ukraine · Serbia · Austria · BG
Mountain ranges: Börzsöny and Cserhát, Moravian-Silesian Beskids, Volovec Mountains, Western Tatras, Bükk, Skole Beskids, Bucegi Mountains, Piatra Craiului, High Tatras, Silesian Beskids
Altitude belts: Foothills (below 600 m) · Beech forests (600–1200 m)

When to see it

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Sightings

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Protection and rules

Not listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of Ukraine

FAQ

Whose blue feather is lying on the path?

Most likely from the Eurasian jay: its wings have a bright blue 'mirror' with a thin black stripe.

Why is the Eurasian jay called the guardian of the forest?

Upon noticing a human or predator, it loudly creaks, and this alarm signal is understood by other forest inhabitants.

Similar species

In season nowSpotted nutcrackerNucifraga caryocatactesA brown bird with white spots of the spruce forests that hides thousands of nuts and seeds of the cedar pine — and thus plants the forest.

Common ravenCorvus coraxThe largest passerine bird, whose deep 'caw-caw' echoes over the polonynas and peaks of the Carpathians.

In season nowGreat spotted woodpeckerDendrocopos majorA black-and-white woodpecker with a red undertail. In spring, its drumming is the loudest sound in the forest.

Where to meet it

Trails and peaks near which naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, iNaturalist), matched by altitude and habitat. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Sources

GBIF · iNaturalist · Wikidata · Distribution data: GBIF.org (CC0 and CC BY records), iNaturalist; names and identifiers: Wikidata (CC0). Text: Karpaty.rocks, checked 09.11.2026.