blue jays
1. Bird Name
This profile is about the Blue Jay, a familiar bird common to North America. Its scientific name is Cyanocitta cristata.
2. Appearance
The Blue Jay is striking in its coloration and marking. Predominantly blue, it boasts a crest on its head that gives it an appealingly feisty look. The most significant distinction is perhaps the distinctive broad white bars adorning the wings and tail. It has a strong black necklace that gives way to a soft grey underbody, and has a bright blue “painted” face. Its white belly and throat stand out against its brilliant blue back and wing feathers. The bill is long, black, strong, and pointed with a hint of a down curve. The eyes are uncannily human-like, dark and bright against a pale face. There isn’t any distinct sexual dimorphism in Blue Jay’s appearance, that is, males and females look similar.
3. Size
Blue Jays are relatively large songbirds, measuring an average length of about 30 cm (9-12 inches) from the beak to tail. The wingspan can reach up to 34-43 cm (13-17 inches), and they typically weigh between 70-100 g (2.5-3.5 ounces).
4. Habitat & Distribution
Blue Jays are found throughout North America, particularly in the eastern and central regions of the continent. Their range extends from Canada down into Florida and Texas with some populations spreading west to the Rockies. They favor deciduous and coniferous forests but adapt well to urban and suburban areas.
5. Interesting Facts
Blue Jays are known for their loud and clear ‘jay jay’ call, often associated with their aggressive behavior. Despite their aggressive nature, they are fiercely loyal, often forming lifelong monogamous pairs. They are also known for their intelligence, shown in their complex social systems and tight family bonds. Furthermore, their splendid feathers have been used in Native American ceremonial clothing and regalia.
6. Diet
Blue Jays have a varied diet; they mostly feed on nuts, seeds, and fruits, particularly acorns. Despite their somewhat benign diet, they are known to occasionally consume insects, eggs, small vertebrates, and even the young of other birds.
7. Behavior & Sounds
Blue Jays are territorial, aggressive birds known for their raucous jay! jay! call. Their complex societal structures include a range of calls and miming abilities, including imitations of hawk calls to drive off competitors or predators. Intriguingly, they utilize a large variety of nests in trees and shrubs, often well hidden and quite high off the ground.
8. Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, Blue Jays are of “Least Concern” as they are widespread and abundant, though they are not equally common everywhere.
9. Lifespan
Blue Jays can live to be about 17 years old in the wild, though the average lifespan is closer to 7 years. In captivity, they have been known to live up to 26 years.
10. Additional Notes
In French, Blue Jays are known as “geai bleu” and in Spanish as “arrendajo azul”. They fill a crucial role in their ecosystem, helping with seed dispersal, particularly of oak trees. Their fondness for acorns is credited with helping the spread of oak trees after the last glacial period.
