The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)

 

The Blue Jay is mostly blue in colour.  Two tones of blue are noticeable at first glance.  His handsome crest (the tuft on the top of his head), and the nape of his neck and back are a soft violet-blue while his wings and tail are  dazzling cobalt with black barring and white patches.  He has a black necklace and bristly whiskers.   He is really a very handsome bird.  A flash of brilliant blue among the golden leaves of autumn is always a delightful surprise for the bird watcher. 

Some bird guides suggest that he is aggressive but he may possibly be just overly-exuberant (excitable) especially when he sees the feeder being filled.    He simply cannot contain his joy.  He shouts loudly “Jay, jay, jay” in a shrill voice for everyone to hear.   His big family crowds the feeder for morsels.  It is just one big, happy and noisy family gathering.  Often, the smaller birds will wait until the Blue Jays have settled down a little before they come to the feeders.  Many people hang out a second feeder for the smaller birds so that all may be fed.  

Among the Blue Jay’s many calls he has a lovely warble song that sounds a little like rippling water.   He is also a mimic, imitating the call of the Red shouldered hawk.  Some biologists believe the imitation may be a method of tricking the hawk into thinking that this space is another hawk’s territory, so “Do not enter”.  The trick seems to work and all the seed eating birds can dine in peace.  

Certainly, anyone who watches Blue Jays at the feeder for a little while will see that they are quick to sound the alarm with their loud shrill whistle if any predator comes near.   All the birds and squirrels and chipmunks pay attention to the Blue Jay’s warning and quickly find cover.  When the danger has passed they slowly return to the feeder table. 

 

Blue Jays nest high up in mature trees, making their nests from twigs.  Three to Five greenish-blue eggs are incubated by the mother Blue Jay.   When they hatch both parents feed the fledglings and that is no easy task.  Baby Blue Jays are the most demanding, noisy little birds imaginable.  Their poor parents must be exhausted trying to keep up with their demands. 

All and all, Blue Jays are remarkable birds and the young  bird watcher should be proud to check off sighting them in his bird journal.

The Latin name for Blue Jay is  Cyanocitta cristata.