Bold, intelligent corvids with a love of acorns — they cache thousands per individual each fall, and forgotten ones become next year's oak seedlings. Blue jays are credited with helping eastern oak forests rebound after the last ice age.

Also called: Common Blue Jay

Native status: Native to eastern and central North America

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 25–30 cm (10–12 in); wingspan 34–43 cm
Weight65–110 g (2.3–3.9 oz)
LifespanWild typically 7 years; oldest documented 26
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyCorvidae

§ Encyclopedia

The blue jay is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to eastern North America. It lives in most of the eastern and central United States; some eastern populations may be migratory. Resident populations are also in Newfoundland, Canada; breeding populations are found across southern Canada. It breeds in both deciduous and coniferous forests, and is common in residential areas. Its coloration is predominantly blue, with a white chest and underparts, and a blue crest; it has a black, U-shaped collar around its neck and a black border behind the crest. Males and females are similar in size and plumage, which does not vary throughout the year. Four subspecies have been recognized.

Source: Wikipedia — Blue jay Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Brilliant blue above with white face and belly, black necklace, white spots on wings and tail. Crest can be raised or flattened.

Similar species. Steller's Jay (western, all dark blue with black crest). Florida Scrub-Jay (no crest, restricted range).

Voice. Loud "jay-jay-jay" calls; also mimics Red-shouldered Hawk perfectly (function debated).

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Omnivorous: acorns and beechnuts (cache thousands each fall), fruits, eggs, nestlings, insects. Major dispersers of oak trees — they're partly responsible for the post-glacial spread of oaks.

Behavior. Caches thousands of acorns in autumn, often forgetting locations — leading to forest regeneration. Highly intelligent; problem-solves and mimics other birds.

§ Range

Eastern and central North America

§ Habitat

Mixed and deciduous forests with oaks, suburbs

§ Threats

West Nile Virus has caused steep regional declines, window strikes, persecution as a "feeder bully."

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the blue jay is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Plant oak trees. Maintain bird-safe windows. Don't persecute jays at feeders — they're ecologically critical.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab — All About Birds
  • Project FeederWatch
  • Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center
  • IUCN Red List 2016