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Blue Jay Habits
Blue Jays DescriptionThese 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. 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 HabitsThe Blue Jays diet consist of a variety of foods. These birds are intelligent and adaptable, they are quick to take advantage of 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. Place seed in a hopper style feeder. Blue Jays will hold nuts with their feet and then crack the shell with their bill. Courtship-MatingBeginning 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 HabitsThe 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 Bird Watching Notes About Blue JaysThese birds are extremely territorial and oftentimes will dive at cats and dogs, even humans who get near nesting and feeding territories.They can also imitate the sound of a Red-shouldered hawk. 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 eat.
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