The Blue Jay is a large, crested songbird native to North America with bright blue coloration. Their scientific name is Cyanocitta cristata. They are found in all kinds of forests but especially near oak trees and are more abundant near forest edges than in the deep forest.
These birds are intelligent and highly adaptable but also loud and aggressive. They are white-faced birds with a distinctive blue crest, back, wings and tail. A collar of black is often found around the throat and head, and bills, legs, feet and eyes are also black.
Quick Facts: –
- The oldest known Blue Jay lived to be 17 years 6 months old. Their average lifespan in the wild is 7 years.
- They can reach 9 to 12 inches in length and 2.5 to 3.5 ounces of weight. Males are slightly larger than females.
- These birds are omnivores, but they mainly stick to vegetation, berries, acorns and more.
- On an average, they have a wingspan of 13 to 17 inches and fly at speeds of 20 to 25 miles per hour.
- Their mating season starts in mid of March and ends in the month of July.
- Both the male and female blue jays will help build the nest and the male stays with female during the entire courtship period.
- These birds are known to bury parts of their collected food so that they can eat it later.
- They often keep a cache, or a hidden area which is filled with nuts and seeds.
- They are able to make a wide variety of sounds. They can also mimic the sound of hawks.
