Lidth's Jay

Lidth's Jay (Garrulus lidthi) is slightly larger than its close relative the Eurasian Jay, with a proportionately stouter bill and also a longer tail. It has no discernible crest, with the head feathers a velvety black, the shoulders and back a deep purplish blue and all other parts a rich chestnut purple.

This jay has a very restricted distribution occurring only on the southern Japanese islands of Anami Oshima and also on Tokinoshima in pine forest, sub-tropical woodland and cultivated areas especially around villages.

Food is largely made up of the acorns of the native oak Quercus cuspidata but includes small reptiles and invertebrates of many types.

The bird nests in large cavities in trees but otherwise the nest is the same as that of the other two Garrulus species with 3-4 eggs.

The voice is similar to that of the Eurasian Jay.

Image link

• Lidth's Jay (http://member.nifty.ne.jp/group-ecology/rurik.gif)