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Blue Jay - (Cyanocitta cristata)
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Four Seasons of Blue Jays
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... Blue Jay
Birch Log Gallery |
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The blue jay is an easily
recognized bird. In spring when we first watched their
behavior closely, we noticed that not all of the group
dropped to the ground or onto the feeder area to eat .
At least one jay would stay in the branches or on the
shed roof keeping watch. If the guard bird sounded the
alarm- a harsh, screaming "jaayy" call, the rest of the
blue jays and all the other birds would scatter
immediately with a quick take off for the trees or other
shelter. Jays are capable of imitating hawks, as well.
The blue jay, named for his raucous warning is truly the
alarm for the forests and the feeders. He knows how to
clear the room in a hurry.
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His feathers actually
lack blue pigment, but the refracted sunlight casts him
in a beautiful blue light. He is a perfect bird for
photographing. The blue jay is not afraid to come close
and he often pauses and poses while eating. Besides
he's gorgeous! Okay, maybe not so much this August when
we noticed severe molting on the jays' heads and necks.
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Size:
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Length: 11 to 12.5 in
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Weight: 3 oz |
Wingspan: 16 in |
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ID:
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Male: Blue crest, neck, back, wings
and tail (feathers contain no blue pigment but
refracted sunlight creates the appearance of
blue); crest can be raised or lowered at will;
face and neck are white; black necklace; grayish
underparts; wings have white spots and fine
black-barred bands; tail has black bands and
white corners; black bill is long and conical;
black feet anisodactylous (three toes point
forward and one toe points backward)
Female:Same as male
Juvenile: Similar to adult but duller
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Habitat:
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Parks and backyards and woodlands with
mature, deciduous trees
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Diet:
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Forages ground for insects, seeds, nuts, and
berries; will eat eggs, nestlings and carrion;
will visit ground feeders for peanuts, sunflower
seeds and corn; caches food and forgets some
seeds thus perpetuating new tree growth
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Family Behavior:
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Mating Habits: Monogamous and solitary; 1-2
broods per year
Local Breeding Period: Early May
Nests:Cup shaped; built by both sexes; made of
twigs, bark, grass, paper, string, and feathers
in crotch of tree or vines
Eggs: 3-7 pale greenish blue to olive
green with dark brown dots and blotches; mostly
female incubates 16-18 days
Nestlings: Born altricial (helpless, naked, eyes
closed) and stay in nest 17-21 days; fed by both
parents
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Social Activities:
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Noisy and boisterous (except during nesting
period); usually in pairs or flocks; highly
intelligent and can solve problems
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Range:
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Eastern and mid US and southern Canada; non-migrator
to partial for food source
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Vocalization:
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Will warn other birds of predators with loud
jay jay jay; song a musical weedle weedle; can
mimic other birds especially hawks
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| Sighted in our Backyard: |
Year round |
| Lifespan: |
Up to 7 years |
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