A colourful member of the Crow family, a very secretive bird quite difficult to see, they prefer the woodland cover as opposed to being out in the open. It is the call they make, a screeching call which gives the game away, you normally hear them before you spot them. They have a distinctive white rump and a purple/blue flash alongside of their body. They are probably more visible during the autumn when they can be seen feeding and collecting acorns. Their diet consists of mainly acorns, but when they become scarce will eat nuts insects and seeds. They will also help themselves to nestlings and small mammals.