Historically, the avian Passerine (perching) species Cyanocitta cristata, more commonly known as the Blue Jay, has gotten a bad rap. Artist, naturalist, and ornithologist John James Aububon dissed them: “Who could imagine,” he said, “that a form so graceful, arrayed by nature in a garb so resplendent, should harbour so much mischief—that selfishness, duplicity, and malice should form the moral accompaniments of so much physical perfection!” Ouch. And author Harper Lee’s character, Atticus Finch, jumped on the “dox Blue Jays” bandwagon as well, in To Kill a Mockingbird: “Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Double youch. Whether or not you have a past or current fondness for the Blue Jay, reading on here may just sway you into this bird’s “like” and “follower” status. Let’s find out.
What Makes a Blue Bird a Jay?
Visually striking songbirds, measuring between 10 to 12 inches in length, Blue Jays are named for what appears to be vibrant blue and black plumage (more about that light trick later), found on both the male and female of the species. With their long black beaks and prominent crests, Blue Jays announce their presence—and often yours—at the edges of woods or around bird feeders, with a loud, raspy caw. Commonly spotted in these environs throughout the Back Bay and Knotts Island area, they forage wood lines for nuts and seeds, scratching through the underbrush or perched on tree branches. Although most abundant in wooded environments, the Blue Jay’s ability to adapt to multiple settings finds them frequenting the backyard feeders, yards, and gardens of the species Homo sapiens. The Blue Jay’s distinctive calls are widely recognized however, their vocal abilities extend beyond their own songs and chirps, as they can mimic the calls of various birds, particularly hawks, as well as other animals. Click below to visit audubon.org’s Blue Jay page to listen to Blue Jay calls:https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/blue-jay
Master Thief or Successful Survivor?
Many observers regard Blue Jays as notorious egg thieves during the spring and summer nesting seasons. Contrary to this perception, Blue Jays primarily maintain a vegetarian diet, with acorns, fruits, and berries constituting most of their diet. They may occasionally consume caterpillars, grasshoppers, bird eggs, and, in rare instances, even newly hatched chicks, but this behavior is not unique to Blue Jays, as many bird, reptile, and mammal species also engage in similar practices. Through their reconnaissance behavior, i.e., if you see something, squawk something, Blue Jays serve as sentinels for other birds and animals, alerting them to the presence of intruders and predators. All credited photos courtesy of southeastern Virginia wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.
What’s Blue is . . . Brown, and Possibly 10 Years Old!
The striking blue coloration of their feathers, although vivid to the naked eye, results from light refraction through surface cells on their brown-pigmented wings. If you crush a Blue Jay feather, it will yield white fragments. The black eye stripes and facial markings of individual Blue Jays also vary, serving as a means of identification among them. Think you have observed the same Blue Jay around your property for an extended period? You may indeed be correct. Blue Jays can live for a decade or longer in the wild, making it plausible for the same individual to visit both its nesting and wintering sites many successive seasons and years. Unlike many bird species that migrate to warmer climates during the colder months, Blue Jays often remain in their home territory, which spans the eastern and central United States, extending into southern Canada, specifically from Newfoundland and Labrador to parts of Alberta. They are occasionally observed in regions such as Washington State but primarily inhabit the region east of the Rocky Mountains. They may migrate alone or in flocks, but not every year, and their migratory patterns remain enigmatic. Blue Jays coexist well with human populations, adapting to suburban and urban environments, provided that suitable shelter and food sources are available during nesting season.
Baby Blue—Eggs, of Course
Not surprisingly, Blue Jays lay blue or greenish blue eggs in a tree-mounted nest. After a 16-18 day incubation, hatching, a few weeks in the nest, young Blue Jays may leave the nest and perch on nearby trees or branches, which can appear abandoned to the casual observer. If you encounter a young Blue Jay in this position, it is advisable to leave the area, allowing the parent to coax the fledgling back to the safety and nourishment found in the family nest.
How Get the Blues this Winter or Upcoming Spring Want to attract more Blue Jays to your property? Consider planting oak trees, as these birds have a particular fondness for acorns. A single Blue Jay can bury and later retrieve hundreds of acorns in one day. Additionally, providing peanuts and grains in your bird feeder, along with planting berry bushes or small fruit-bearing trees, can enhance the appeal of your yard to these remarkable birds. Get out your binoculars or camera and enjoy!
