Should the Jay (Garrulus Glandarius) be re-classified within the Turdus (Blackbird+Thrush) Genus?
The eurasian jay would be classified as a corvid because in evolutionary terms, it has a much more recent common ancestor with other crows than it does with the thrushes. Any observed behavioural similarities would be an example of convergent evolution, similar to comparing old world vultures, which are related to birds of prey and new world vultures, which are more closely related to storks. Personally, I think of the jay as behaviourally more like a shy version of the magpie (also a corvid), than a thrush. E.g. both jays and magpies are nest robbers, preying on the young of other birds.
