Jay Garrulus glandarius Jays are brightly coloured crows that can be found in woodland, parks and gardens. © Photo by Ian Rose Surprisingly shy, their screaming call is most likely to be heard as they fly between trees. You should watch out for a flash of a bright white rump. Jays eat invertebrates, especially caterpillars and beetles, and are famous for enjoying acorns (and other nuts and fruits) during the autumn; they will cache their finds for later. Jays are present all year-round, but are most obvious in autumn when they have to move about looking for winter supplies. How to Identify A brightly coloured crow, the Jay is unmistakable. It is mainly pinkish-buff, with a black tail, white rump, black ‘moustache’ and black and white wings that sport a brilliant blue patch. Where to Find Widespread, although absent from the north of Scotland. How People Can Help The Wildlife Trusts manage many woodland nature reserves sympathetically for all kinds of birds from Jays to Goldcrests, Nuthatches to Whitethroats. You can help too: volunteer for The Wildlife Trusts and you could be involved in everything from traditional forest crafts to raising awareness about birds. Did you know? Jays collect and bury acorns in the autumn ready for the winter ahead. Some of these acorns will be forgotten and grow into oak saplings and eventually trees. Key FactsLength: 34cmWingspan: 55cmWeight: 170gAverage lifespan: 4 years Donate Donate to help support Jays and other wildlife. Donate Similar Species Barn Owl Birds Black-Headed Gull Birds Blackbird Birds Blackcap Birds Blue Tit Birds Bullfinch Birds Buzzard Birds Canada Goose Birds Carrion Crow Birds Chaffinch Birds Chiffchaff Birds Coal Tit Birds Collared Dove Birds Coot Birds Curlew Birds Dipper Birds Dunnock Birds Fieldfare Birds Goldcrest Birds Golden Plover Birds Goldfinch Birds Great Spotted Woodpecker Birds Great Tit Birds Greenfinch Birds Grey Heron Birds Grey Wagtail Birds Hen Harrier Birds Herring Gull Birds House Sparrow Birds Jackdaw Birds Kestrel Birds Kingfisher Birds Lapwing Birds Linnet Birds Little Egret Birds Little Grebe Birds Long-Tailed Tit Birds Magpie Birds Mallard Birds Mandarin Duck Birds Meadow Pipit Birds Mistle Thrush Birds Moorhen Birds Nightjar Birds Nuthatch Birds Peregrine falcon Birds Redwing Birds Robin Birds Siskin Birds Skylark Birds Snipe Birds Song Thrush Birds Sparrowhawk Birds Starling Birds Swallow Birds Swift Birds Tawny owl Birds Tree Sparrow Birds Treecreeper Birds Waxwing Birds Wheatear Birds Whitethroat Birds Willow Warbler Birds Wood Pigeon Birds Wood Warbler Birds Wren Birds