The Blue Jay is one of the most familiar backyard songbirds. Even non-birders can easily identify them by their size and gorgeous blue, black, and white markings.
Identification: The Blue Jay is a large songbird with a wide rounded t
ail. They are white or light gray underneath with different shades of blue, black, and white above. Both sexes are similar.
Behavior: Blue Jays have a wide variety of calls that carry over a long distance. You will hear them and think they are in a nearby tree when they are actually a good distance away. In contrast to their long distance and sometime loud calls the Blue Jay will fly silently across open areas. Blue Jays have a habit of carrying food in their throat pouch to store elsewhere for later use.
Habitat: Look for Blue Jays along forest edges. They love acorns and can often be found near oak trees. They can also be found in cities, parks, woodlots, and backyards.
Diet: Blue Jays mainly feed on nuts and seeds. They occasionally eat small vertebrae and will sometimes snatch an insect in mid-air.
Nesting: Both parents participate in building a cup shaped nest composed of twigs, bark, moss, and other plant material. They will build a nest in any suitable tree or shrub, but prefer an evergreen if available. There are 4-5 eggs laid. Incubation is 16-18 days. The chicks fledge between 17-21 days.
Interesting Fact: Blue Jays can be a warning system to other birds if a predator such as a hawk or owl is nearby. They will sometimes chase predatory birds, and will make a loud scream like call if it sees a predator in its territory.
Backyard Tips: Some bird watchers consider Blue Jays to be somewhat of a bully type bird. Personally I think they are beautiful intelligent birds that add fun and charm to my yard. I have discovered that Blue Jays love peanuts in the shell. In the colder months I put a handful of peanuts out on the deck railing every morning. If I don’t have them out there around the same time every day I’ll have at least two of them out there loudly informing me that it’s time for breakfast. If you want to entice Blue Jays to your yard and feeders try offering peanuts, or even a good mixed blend that contains peanuts, corn and sunflower seeds. I have also seen them at my suet basket. A fresh water supply will help to attract and encourage Blue Jays to stick around.
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