Blue jays are a common songbird that are known for their striking blue and white plumage and one of our favorite feeder visitors. They are native to North America and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, gardens, and parks. Blue jays are intelligent birds that are known to be skilled at problem-solving and adapting to their environments. Blue jays are in the corvid family, the same as crows and can mimic several other songbirds' sounds as well.
Probably the most distinctive features of blue jays is their vibrant blue color, which is caused by the scattering of light off of the feathers. The feathers are not actually blue themselves but the way they are shaped and colored reflects blue light to the human eye. This bright blue coloration is more pronounced in males than in females. In addition to their blue feathers, blue jays also have white underparts and a distinctive crest on their head.
Blue jays are omnivorous and will eat a wide variety of food, including seeds, nuts, insects, and fruit. We feed ours unshelled (and unsalted) peanuts. They are also known to cache food for later consumption, a behavior that is common among many species of birds. In addition to foraging for food, blue jays are also known to be aggressive and will actively defend their territory from other birds and animals. Overall, blue jays are fascinating and beautiful birds that are a common sight in many parts of North America. Our local group prefer to eat unshelled peanuts. We appreciate having them around as they very often warn the smaller birds of predators in the area with their strident calls.