Blue Jay

Friend or Foe? While many consider blue jays a pest, others can't get enough of this colorful flier. Learn how to attract blue jays to your yard, and listen to their song.

Photo: Roland Jordahl

• Scientific Name: Cyanocitta cristata.
• Family: Crow.
• Length: 11 inches.
• Wingspan: 16 inches.
• Distinctive Markings: Blue feathers and crest with gray breast.
• Nest: Well hidden and often found in the crotch of a tree 10 to 25 feet above the ground. Females lay and incubate four to five eggs.
• Song: Harsh scream, "jaaay, jaaay, jaaay." Has many other calls, including whistle phrases, rattles and a harsh "shkrrr."
• Habitat: Backyards, parks and woodlands.
• Diet: Omnivorous, including nuts, seeds, fruits, insects and frogs.
• Backyard Favorites: Feeders with suet, sunflower seeds or peanuts.