About Garrulus lanceolatus Vigors, 1831
The black-headed jay, scientifically named Garrulus lanceolatus Vigors, 1831, is roughly the same size as its close relative the Eurasian jay, but is slightly more slender overall. Its head is mostly black, with white streaks on the throat, and it has a more obvious crest than the Eurasian jay. Compared to this close relative, its pale bill is slightly shorter and thicker, and its tail is longer. Its voice is very similar to the Eurasian jay’s, but with longer pauses between calls. Its most common call is a harsh "kraaa", which can sound either raspy or more nasal. This is a non-migratory species that ranges from eastern Afghanistan eastwards across the Himalayas, extending from India to Nepal and Bhutan. It lives in wooded areas with large expanses of open ground rather than dense forest, at elevations between 570 and 4000 meters. It can also be found in some cultivated areas and even near villages, as long as enough trees and scrubland are nearby. It may even visit agricultural land and garbage dumps to feed.
