A common species of wooded gardens and urban parks, field edges and small woodlands. It is a familiar feature of rural life and many myths and folk tales surround it. It has a complex vocabulary, some of which is explained here, but its most easily recognised call is a harsh staccato chattering:
Jays are noisy messy birds, tumbling around in woodlands and forests. They make a wide variety of sounds, can mimic other species, but the most defining call is a raucous squawk:
A fascinating bird of mountain forests, which has a close relationship with a particular pine tree. It makes a wide variety of sounds but the most commonly heard is a harsh rasping:
A black “crow” with bright yellow beak and red feet this bird is unmistakable in the high alps. Often seen scavenging around restaurants, refuges and picnic spots.
A fairly common bird of forest edge, agricultural areas, towns and villages. The smallest of the European Crows, compact, active, with a blue eye and grey behind the head. The call is a sharp, rather high-pitched explosive “kiew”
A common bird of woodlands, forest edge and agricultural areas. Black with a pointed black beak, makes a wide range of sounds but is most noted for its harsh “cawing” calls:
The heavy-duty crow of the high mountains. Bigger than a Buzzard with heavy flight and a deep croak: