The Jay of the Oaks: The Sentinel of the Forests
Garrulus: "chirping," "chatterbox." Glandarius: "acorn-producing."
The Latin etymology of the jay provides us with excellent information about the ancestral forestry role of the
"chatterbox acorn gatherer."
Short and robust beak, crest-shaped crown feathers, storage pouch under the thick beak,
Bright blue, crossed by fine and elegant black lines, its outstretched wing is magnificent,
The rump is white, bordered by a very elongated tail, very black with bluish highlights,
Its pinkish-beige body, with shades of wine-pink, makes it unique.
In autumn, it builds up a reserve of acorns that it hides, in preparation for winter, in various places,
Under its beak, its crop stores 4 to 7 seeds scattered over a large territory,
It hides them by pushing them into the ground with its beak, covering them with forest leaves,
Between early September and late November, the jay devotes most of its energy to this activity.
Capable of memorizing several thousand individual hiding places, on which its survival depends,
Sunbathing with open wings like many birds, the jay has its own coquettish ways.
It also practices "ant bathing" to care for its plumage and keep its costume in good condition.
It perches on an anthill, exciting the ants, who fight and capture the parasites infesting its feathers.
During its life of around 18 years, it must be wary of its main predators
The goshawk, the sparrowhawk, the tawny owl, the common raven, the golden eagle, but also the marten and cats.
In spring, it chooses its nest in a forked tree, between two branches, or in a tall, dense bush.
After incubating 3 to 7 eggs by the mother, the chicks are fed by both parents until they fledge 3 weeks later.
O jay, sentinel of the woods, you are the messenger of the forest trees,
Your hoarse and sonorous cry garrules, cackles, cajoles, chatters, or frigulotes,
A cry, a beat, in the soul of the woods, you are the herald of the canopy,
Thus goes the reforester of the woods, the vital role that links the seasons, low and high.
Guy Pujol Says l’ARIÉ…..JOIE