JAY
The jay is the most colourful of the crow family but is shyer than the other crows. It is mostly pinkish grey-brown with a white throat, black moustache stripe and a black streaked white crown. On the front of the wing is the splendid blue panel with fine black markings. When it is flying, it shows a striking white rump patch at the base of the tail, which is black. When it is on the ground, it moves with exaggerated hops.
The jay is renowned for collecting and burying acorns to store for the leaner Winter months. For this reason, it is thought that the jay has helped the oak tree establish its hold in Europe. As well as the acorns, jays feed on beech nuts, insects, bird chicks and birds’ eggs. This bird can be seen along the cliffs behind beaches, on the mountains and in the valleys. In fact, in the South-east of Kefalonia, it is the most common corvid, and if you do not see it, you will certainly here its harsh cry.
