Blue Jays are attracted to feeders and water in the
backyard just like many of our other favorite songbirds.
Identification and Pictures
Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) are a
very attractive bird, a little larger than an American Robin,
about 11 to 12 inches. Both male and female are blue above
with a crest and a black necklace. The wings and tail have
spotted white and black markings. They are dull gray to
whitish below.
They have a wide expanding range in the western U.S. and much
of southern Canada.
Blue Jay Song
Note on some browsers you will not be able to see or use the
drop down sound list. If you can't use it try the sound
links below.
They are a very noisy bird with a harsh jay or a musical
wheeedlee or too-lool. Soft nasal notes are given when
the birds are close. Blue jays will often mimic the
call of hawks.
photo Dave Menke US Wildlife
Mud is often used for the nest as well.
Breeding season is April to May. They
breed in mixed wooded areas usually near open space.
Likes oaks and pinewoods as well as
gardens.
Nests are built in trees or shrubs, sometimes in a
tree cavity. Both adults will build a nest with
twigs, strips of bark, grass, weeds, feathers, rags
and paper.
Blue Jays can have more than one brood. The
female will incubate 4 to 6 eggs. Eggs are smooth and glossy.
They can be pinkish, green, bluish, or pale olive. They are
specked with brown, olive or purple.
The young birds are attended by both adults and can leave the
nest in around 3 weeks.
Food and Feeders
Along with Goldfinches, Juncos, Tree Sparrows
and others Blue Jays will visit your backyard feeders.
Some people would just as soon not have Blue
Jays at their feeders because they consider them
bullies. It seems that in some areas they have these
aggressive traits and in others they don't.
Jay posters
