When it comes to blue jays, there seem to be two divergent opinions. Some perceive them as bullies, intimidating other birds with their assertive behavior. By contrast, others, including me, delight in the colorful antics that blue jays bring to our winter bird feeding stations.

My personal story is intertwined with a bird feeder located just outside my bedroom window. While chickadees, juncos and nuthatches were lovely visitors, the arrival of a blue jay marked the arrival of a charismatic sight. With its long tail, striking crest, and unmistakable attitude, the blue jay made an entrance that announced, “Look out, world, the jay is here!”

As the years have passed and my observations of blue jays have continued, I am convinced that these birds are so intelligent that they often find everyday life somewhat mundane. Consequently, they invent ways to add excitement and entertainment to their existence. But before we dive into their hilarious antics, let’s explore their role in the natural world.

Color and habitat

First, it is important to note that there are no true blue pigments in a blue jay’s plumage. Instead, their feathers have a thin layer of cells that absorb all color wavelengths except blue. When illuminated, their blue tones intensify, but in the absence of direct sunlight, their blue tones may appear less vibrant.

In reality, blue jays are a striking mix of black, white, and blue. Its wings and tail are adorned with bold black bars and white tips, while its underside sports a grayish-white color with black markings. Its iconic shield is blue on the front and turns black on the back. White sides frame their heads, marked by a distinctive black line running through their eyes. It should be noted that both males and females share this striking coloration.

Blue jays are versatile in their choice of habitats and occupy deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests. However, they are equally comfortable in cities and residential areas. In regions such as Illinois, blue jays are more frequently observed in communities than in nearby mature forests.

Food preferences

As for their diet, blue jays are true omnivores. Their menu includes a wide variety of foods. They are known to consume ground beetles, caterpillars, click beetles, wireworms, wasps, spiders, millipedes and snails.

As for bird eggs and chicks, research has shown that they make up only about 1% of a blue jay’s diet. While some predation of chicks does occur, most nest failures are attributed to other predators, such as hawks, owls, and hawks.

On the other hand, blue jays play a vital role in seed dispersal, especially when it comes to most forest trees and shrubs. Beech nuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts and acorns make up an important part of their diet, approximately 43%. Its ability to store nuts for future consumption is remarkable. A blue jay was observed packing around 100 sunflower seeds in its throat, demonstrating its ability to store and retrieve food.

vocal virtuosity

Blue jays are not only famous for their colorful appearance and varied diet; They are also famous for their vocal talent. Their wide repertoire of sounds includes taunting calls, rattle calls, pumping calls, swallowing calls, peeping calls, whisper songs, squawking calls, and contact calls. These categories cover a wide range of vocalizations, each of which serves different purposes.

The mocking cry, for example, is a loud, non-musical cry used when blue jays feel potentially threatened by humans or predators. Interestingly, other birds respond to the mocking call and recognize it as a warning signal. Blue jays, in this sense, often act as neighborhood sentinels.

Interestingly, blue jays also practice mimicry, imitating the calls of various birds of prey, including hawks and owls. While the reasons for this behavior have not been definitively established, hypotheses suggest that blue jays may be warning of the presence of a predator, imitating familiar sounds they have encountered, or attempting to fool other species into believing that a hawk is nearby.

In conclusion, the blue jay’s intelligence, adaptable diet, and vocal prowess make it a captivating and multifaceted member of the avian world. These intelligent birds add not only color but also an element of surprise and entertainment to our natural environment. Whether you see them as the jesters or the protectors of the bird kingdom, there is no denying their prominent place in nature’s great tapestry.