Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
Family Corvidae
Quick answer
A large, crested, blue-and-white corvid of eastern North American woodlands and suburbs — loud, intelligent, and far more subtle in behaviour than its reputation suggests.
Quick facts
- Size
- Larger than a robin, roughly 25–30 cm long
- Habitat
- Oak and mixed woodland, parks, suburbs with mature trees
- Range
- Eastern and central North America; some populations move south in autumn
- Diet
- Acorns, nuts, seeds, insects; caches large numbers of acorns each autumn
- When to look
- Year-round in most of its range, with visible daytime migration along ridges and coasts in autumn
- Family
- Corvidae
Identification
- Bright blue upperparts with black barring and white wing patches
- Whitish underparts and a black 'necklace' across the chest
- Tall blue crest, lowered when relaxed
- Long, white-cornered tail
Behaviour
Highly vocal and an accomplished mimic — a convincing Red-shouldered Hawk imitation is a common trick. Jays cache thousands of acorns each autumn and are considered significant dispersers of oaks.
Similar species
- Steller's Jay
- Western; blackish head and much deeper blue, no white in the wing.
- Florida Scrub-Jay
- Crestless, plainer blue, restricted to Florida scrub.
Birding tips
- Follow a screaming jay — they mob owls and hawks, and often reveal a roosting raptor
- Autumn ridges are the place to see loose flocks moving in daylight
Frequently asked questions
Why do Blue Jays imitate hawks?
Probably to test whether a hawk is present, and possibly to clear other birds from a feeder. Both explanations have support.
Are Blue Jays aggressive?
They are bold and noisy, but studies of feeder behaviour find they displace other birds less often than their reputation suggests.
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