Although shy by nature, jays are found in every county of Ireland hidden in oak woodlands. Often mistaken for a more exotic bird the jay looks as if it would be more at home in a rain forest than in Ireland but looks can be deceiving and underneath all that colour is actually just a common crow. With a white rump and a shrill call, at this time of year, the jay is busy collecting acorns to be stored and used during the coming months. Throughout the winter each jay will remember the location of these buried acorns and use them as food right through till June the following year. Not the most popular of birds, jays are often accused of nest-robbing but their colourful plumage and distinctive noises still make them an admired member of Irish bird life.