which Jay like bird from Graubunden, switzerland is size of jay, has dark malar stripe in face and has a very strong long bill that is yellowish with black tip?
The bird you’re describing is most likely a Eurasian Jay. It is jay-sized, has a prominent dark malar stripe on the face, and a strong bill; field guides describe it with a black malar stripe and a strong bill, which matches your note closely.
Why it fits
- Size: roughly jay-sized, consistent with a medium corvid.
- Face pattern: the dark malar stripe is a classic Eurasian Jay feature.
- Bill: the species has a strong bill, though guides usually describe it as dark/blackish rather than yellowish with a black tip.
One caution
The yellowish bill with a black tip is not a standard Eurasian Jay field mark, so if that detail was very clear, there may be another bird involved or the lighting may have altered the color impression. The Graubünden bird list and regional checklists can help narrow local possibilities, but the facial pattern still points most strongly to Eurasian Jay.
Best match
Most likely: Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius).
