Ruud Streefkerk

The Jay is found a.o. in the Benelux. The appearance of the bird is predominantly gray-brown with a pink shade. The throat, abdomen, tailbone and part of the hand-pins are white. Characteristic are a black mustache stripe and light blue feathers in the wing with fine, black stripes. When aroused, the bird can erect its crown feathers, these are alternated light and black. Jays eat a wide spectrum of animal- and vegetable food. The scientific name Garrulus glandarius can be freely translated as the constantly scratching acorn seeker. And indeed the oak largely depends on them for spreading its acorns: the jay transports them to spots with a soft surface, where it pushes them into the ground. This is how it  builds up a winter stock. But it usually forgets a few spots and what is not found can develop into a new oak tree. For this reason, the jay is also called 'the great forester'. The German name for the jay (Eichelhäher) typifies this behavior.