Details
Cyanocitta cristata
The blue jay is a diurnal corvid of North American woods and wooded neighborhoods. Its loud calls and blue wings make it conspicuous, whether alone or in loose groups.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses deciduous and mixed forest, parks, suburbs, and wooded edges. Tree cover with acorns, insects, and high lookout branches suits it well.
Wingspan is about 34-43 cm and weight about 70-100 g. Blue wings and tail, a white face, black collar, and short crest are distinctive.
Active by day, it moves through trees in pairs or loose flocks. It gives sharp alarm calls and often caches food for later use.
It is omnivorous, eating acorns, seeds, fruit, insects, and other small foods. It forages both on the ground and through the canopy.
Pairs hold breeding territories and build cup nests in trees. Both adults may help gather material and feed the young.
Its status is listed as Least Concern. It adapts well near people, while local movements can follow forest structure and mast crops.
