Rural Perspectives
Blue jays can be found here all year long
by Diane Constable
Blue jay feathers contain melatonin pigments that
scatter light to give them a striking blue color.
Image credit: Diane Constable
The blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is one of our more common songbirds. They can be seen and heard in our neighborhoods, fields and woodlands throughout the year. Their scientific name means “dark blue” (Greek) and “crested” (Latin), and they belong to the same bird family as the common crow.
Although we see them year-round, it is unclear why about 20% migrate in large flocks some years but not every year, some never do migrate, and others migrate occasionally.
Like many birds, the male collects nesting materials and the female builds the nest. They mate for life and have one clutch of up to seven eggs per year. After about 18 days, the eggs hatch; three weeks later, the young birds leave the nest. The parents continue to feed the fledglings for about two more months. They will grow to about 11 inches tall, weigh about 3 ounces, and live up to 10 years. Blue jays have a strong social bond and live in family groups made up of the parents and offspring, including previous offspring.
The jay feathers contain melatonin pigments that scatter light, giving them the striking blue color in full sun and duller shades when in shadows or on a dim day.
Blue jays do not sing but use a wide variety of calls, sounds and body language to communicate. If the crest on its head is up, it is signaling aggression, interest, or perceived danger. When the crest is down, it signals all is good in its world. It also can mimic other birds and imitates a red-tailed hawk so well it fools even bird-watchers. It is unclear if this call is to warn or to fool other birds into running for cover at the bird feeder, or maybe both.
Blue jays feed on a variety of insects, grains, seeds, and nuts. The favored food in the fall is acorns. They prefer to eat acorns containing weevil larvae while hiding unaffected acorns up to 2 miles away for later use.
Fun Fact: A special pouch near the back of the throat can hold up to three extra acorns. Jays have been known to hide about 100 acorns per day (2,000 to 3,000 each autumn). Because of this behavior, blue jays were key in spreading the oak forests north as the last continental glaciers receded.
As an avid photographer, Diane Constable regularly puts her formal education in both nature and photography to good use. Diane also enjoys gardening and her dogs and serves on the board of the Ann Arbor Dog Training Club.
