Eurasian jay / Eichelhäher (Garrulus glandarius)

Eichelhäher close-up. 2026-03-24 11:24:32 Bolle di Magadino

Observations

First documented observation: 2020-04-17 in Wald Fehraltorf. Most recent observation: 2026-03-24 in Bolle di Magadino.

Description

Classification: Genus Garrulus (Garrulus); Family Corvidae (Corvidae)
General: The German name Häher is the English name jay, both being onomatopoeic
General: Deutschland: Brut-, Jahres-, Zugvogel, Wintergast
Etymology: Nachahmung des Vogelrufs...mittelhochdeutsch heher [Der deutsche Wortschatz (DSDW.de)]
[22] Viele der Namen sind lautmalerisch und ahmen verschiedene Rufe nach wie Gäckser, Tschäcker, Jägg, Gäbsch oder Gräcke. [Link]
Vocalization: Large repertoire. Many other social sounds. [Link]

Seasonal behavior

Year-round bird
Breeding: 04-11 - 06-29
Migration in: 04-01 - 06-09
Migration out: 08-29 - 11-06
More details at Vogelwarte.ch

Other Details

Physical details

Physical details: length=34-35 cm, wingspan=52-58 cm, weight=140-190 g
Habitats: Forest

Vocalisation

Song: Harsh crow-like call, or quiet questioning, 'grumbling', or plaintive cries.
Song: Quiet and varied subsong with mimicry, resembling a small passerine heard from both sexes. [Link] Song attributes: Melody: non-musical, fast, Frequency: medium (1-5 KHz) Special sounds: cawing, mimicry
Calls: Most heard call a short, drawn and very hoarse, raspy sound, often given in quick successions. Also a Buzzard-like, mewing "peeeaaa" (more drawn and less full tone than Siberian Jay). [Link] 1: Typically harsh jay call. I would say a contact call usually means 'Here I am', answered by 'Good, here I am.' Listening to two jays in the Swiss mountains of Toggenburg, it sounded like 'HEY IDIOT, HERE I AM...WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU?' 'WHAT? YOU HAVEN'T FIGURED IT OUT? OF COURSE I'M OVER HERE. PEABRAIN.' On the other hand, anthropomorphism is always dangerous, usually completely wrong approach.
XC536051 Eurasian Jay harsh call 20s.

XC536051 Eurasian Jay harsh call 20s. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC536051 Eurasian Jay harsh call 20s.mp3 (call)

2: We saw and heard a jay (Eichelhaeher) at the Pfaeffikersee imitating a common buzzard - very cool.
XC97136 - Eurasian Jay - Garrulus glandarius - imitating common buzzard.

XC97136 - Eurasian Jay - Garrulus glandarius - imitating common buzzard. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC97136 - Eurasian Jay - Garrulus glandarius - imitating common buzzard.mp3 (Imitation of another bird's call)


Call attributes: Call melody: one note, slow, Frequency: medium (1-5 KHz), Special sounds: rasp.