Blue Jay Habits

The Blue Jay is one of the most colorful birds to nest in our backyards and to visit our feeders. Considered by some to be a bully at the bird feeder, most birdwatchers welcome this beautiful blue and white bird to their yards. Continue reading to learn the nesting and feeding habits of this bird.

Description

These birds are medium-sized ranging in length from 9 to 12 inches. Their crown and crest are gray-blue.

The wing and tail feathers are bright blue with white and black bands. Look for this birds narrow necklace of black feathers across the throat and around the head.

The upper parts are bluish gray and brightest on the rump.

The lower breast, belly, and vent area are off-white. The bill, legs, feet, and eyes, are black. Blue Jays have the ability to raise and lower their crest.

Feeding Habits

Peanut Feeder

The Blue Jays diet consist of a variety of foods. These birds are intelligent and adaptable, they are quick to take advantage of peanuts at bird feeders.

Their winter diet consist mostly of vegetable matter, acorns, beechnuts, seeds and berries.

Othertimes they will feed on larger insects, grasshoppers, caterpillars, mice, bird eggs, and baby birds.

Although known to rob nest of eggs and baby birds, only a very small percentage of their diet comes from these sources.

Typically, they are vegetarians and can be attracted to bird feeders with black oil sunflower seed or peanuts.

Blue Jays will hold the nuts with their feet and then crack the shell with their bill.

Courtship-Mating

Beginning in early May, the courtship habits of the blue jay commence. Generally a group of seven or more are gathered together in the top of a tree. One female is among this group.

When the female flies off, the males will follow and land near her. Bobbing their heads up and down displaying for her.

The female will eventually select a mate from this group and the nesting cycle will follow.

Blue Jay Nesting Habits

The nest is a bulky cup made of twigs, leaves, roots, grass, moss and sometimes held together by mud. Usually placed between 8 to 30 feet above ground.

You can try attracting these birds to nest in your backyard by placing a nesting shelf in a tree, or on the side of a garage or shed overlooking both open spaces and foliage.

Place the nesting shelf 10 to 12 feet above ground. Choose a location that provides protection from predators, elements, access, visibility, and varying sunlight.

The female lays 3 to 7 greenish buff, blue, or yellow eggs with brown or grey spots. Incubation last 17 to 18 days and is done primarily by the female although the male sometimes helps. The young will leave the nest in about 17 to 21 days after hatching. Both parents share in feeding the young birds.

1 - 2 broods raised each season.

After the nesting season in late summer and early fall these birds will travel in small flocks and family groups.

Although only partially migratory (mainly a permanent resident) sometimes flocks numbering over 100 can be spotted moving south.

Interesting Behaviors

Blue Jays are extremely territorial, often diving at cats, dogs, even humans, who get near nesting and feeding territories.

They can also imitate the sound of a Red-shouldered hawk which will scare other songbirds from feeders as the Blue Jay comes to feed.

Mainly found east of the Rocky Mountains, the Blue Jay has been declining in numbers, due in part from the reductions in forest and woodlands. Specifically oak trees, which provide the acorns Blue Jays prefer to eat.

Attract Blue Jays With These Ideas