Acorn storage in tree cavities by Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius L.)

Abstract

AbstractSeed hoarding by granivorous animals requires cache-protection strategies which allow to protect hoarded seeds against pilferage. This study reports the first case of acorn hoarding in tree cavities by Eurasian Jays (Garrulus glandarius). Out of 116 removed acorns of both pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) and Northern red oak (Q. rubra), we localized 14 consumed and 102 stored acorns. Five experimental acorns (4.9% of stored acorns) were found stored in tree cavities. The notion that hoarding seeds in tree cavities may constitute a cache-protection behavior of Eurasian Jays represents a working hypothesis that ought to be tested in future studies.