Physical Characteristics
Pinkish-brown plumage, a thick black "moustache" and a mottled crest that can be raised. The most striking feature is the patch of bright blue with black bars on the wings.
Garrulus glandarius
Gaita is the "policeman of the forest", being the first to sound the alarm when an intruder appears. In the Danube Delta, the most stable populations are in the forests on the ridges. It is an extremely intelligent bird and a great imitator of sounds, being able to reproduce the barking of dogs or the call of the owl.
Pinkish-brown plumage, a thick black "moustache" and a mottled crest that can be raised. The most striking feature is the patch of bright blue with black bars on the wings.
In the Delta it is tied to the presence of deciduous trees, especially oaks on the Letea and Caraorman ridges where it finds its preferred food: acorns.
Famous for burying acorns for winter; many are never found again, directly contributing to forest regeneration. A cautious bird, difficult to observe closely.
The nest is built from twigs at medium height in trees. Both parents participate in feeding the young. Although resident, it may make local movements in winter in search of food.
Classified as Least Concern. A common and adaptable species whose presence indicates a healthy forest ecosystem.