Blue Beauty AKA the Blue Jay

Meet the Blue Jay

 Today, we’re shining a spotlight on a bird that's as striking in appearance as it is fascinating in behaviour – the Blue Jay! Identified by its blue and white plumage, with a black band around its neck and a crest on its head. These birds are medium-sized, with a wingspan of about 13-17 inches.

Where can you find Blue Jays?

Blue Jays are native to North Eastern and Central America\Canada  and can be found in forests, parks, and suburban areas throughout the continent. They are known for their loud calls and are often heard before they are seen.

More Than Just a Pretty Face (and Feathers!)

Let’s be honest, the first thing that captures anyone’s attention with a Blue Jay is their stunning cobalt blue, black, and white feathers. That vibrant crest they can raise or lower depending on their mood? Absolutely iconic! But beneath those beautiful feathers lies a bird of surprising intelligence.

Blue Jays are members of the corvid family, which also includes crows and ravens – a family renowned for their smarts. And Blue Jays live up to the reputation! They are:

• Master Mimics: Ever heard a hawk cry but couldn't see one? It might have been a Blue Jay! They are incredible mimics, imitating the calls of hawks, other birds, and even human sounds. Scientists believe they might use hawk calls to scare away other birds from feeders or signal danger.
• Communicative Chatterboxes: While they are known for their loud “jay-jay” calls (hence the name!), their vocal repertoire is vast. They use a wide variety of clicks, whistles, and rattles to communicate with each other, expressing everything from alarm to affection.
• Resourceful Foragers: Blue Jays are omnivores with a varied diet. They’ll happily munch on nuts, seeds, berries, insects, and even small vertebrates. They are particularly fond of acorns and play a vital role in oak forest regeneration by burying acorns for later – often forgetting where they hid them, planting new trees in the process! 
• Family Focused: Blue Jays are generally monogamous and often stay paired for life. They are known to be quite social, especially within their family groups, and will fiercely defend their nests and territories.

Bringing Blue Jay Beauty to Your Backyard

Want to encourage these beautiful birds to visit your garden or backyard? Here are a few tips:

• Offer their favourite foods: Blue Jays love peanuts, acorns, sunflower seeds, and suet. Stocking your bird feeders with these treats is a sure way to attract them.
• Provide water: A bird bath or a shallow dish of fresh water is always appreciated by birds, especially during warmer months.
• Plant oak trees and shrubs: If you have the space, planting oak trees will provide a natural food source and habitat for Blue Jays. Berry-producing shrubs will also be welcome.
• Offer nesting opportunities: While they are adaptable nesters, providing mature trees or shrubs can encourage them to nest nearby.

Nesting and Mating

Blue Jays nest in trees and shrubs, constructing open cup nests in the crotch of branches using twigs, leaves, roots, and mud, with both sexes contributing to nest building though females do the bulk of the work. Breeding season occurs in spring and early summer, with pairs engaging in subtle courtship displays and laying clutches of 3 to 6 eggs.

More Than Just a Bird – A Symbol of Intelligence and Beauty

The Blue Jay is more than just a beautiful bird; it’s a symbol of intelligence, communication, and beauty  Their vibrant colors and dynamic personalities add a spark of life to any landscape. We are constantly inspired by the ingenuity and beauty of the natural world, and the Blue Jay is a perfect example of why so many are passionate about nature.

So, next time you spot a flash of blue in the branches, take a moment to appreciate the magnificent Blue Jay. Happy birding!