The first bird called a 'Jay' is today's Eurasian Jay

Eurasian Jay photo by Luc Viatour

The first bird called a 'Jay' was named in Britain, in the 18th century.   Today it is still called just a Jay, in Britain, but it is also known elsewhere as the Eurasian Jay.   It's scientific name is Garralus glandarius.   All the other 50-or-so jays, around the world, were given two-word or three-word names, such as the Blue Jay (pictured below). There are three species of jays found in Canada: the Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), Stellar's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) and the Grey Jay (Perisoreus canadensis).   Jays are spread across parts of North and South America, Europe and Asia, but most are found in Central and South America (almost 30 species).   There are many subspecies also.

Photo by BarrytheBirder

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BarrytheBirder