Blue Jay
Updated: Apr. 24, 2020You won’t have to see this brash blue bird to know it’s on its way to pillage your feeder of sunflower seeds and peanuts. Its harsh cry is unmistakable.
Photos
Information
Scientific Name: Cyanocitta cristata.
Family: Crow.
Length: 11 inches.
Wingspan: 16 inches.
Distinctive Markings: Blue crest and back, gray breast, bold white spots on wings and tail.
Nest: Well hidden and often found in the crotch of a tree, the nest is built of twigs, roots, grass and sometimes mud. The female lays three to seven blue or brown spotted eggs.
Voice: Harsh scream, “jaaay, jaaay, jaaay.” Has many other calls, including whistle phrases, rattles and a harsh “shkrrr.”
Habitat: Backyards, parks and woodlands.
Diet: Nuts, seeds, fruits, insects and frogs.
Backyard Favorites: Feeders with suet, sunflower seeds and peanuts.
Bird Song & Range Map
Listen to the Blue Jay’s song and learn where to spot them!
Bird songs provided by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Range maps provided by Kaufman Field Guides, the official field guide of Birds & Blooms.
