Walls: How blue are blue jays?
Published 10:30 am, Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Maybe it’s just the time of year but there sure seems to be a lot of blue jays around lately. Usually there might be two or three blue jays visiting our feeders at one time but recently their numbers have increased to six or seven showing up together.
Seems that the cooler weather spurs these raucous birds into flocking behavior. Perhaps it is a group activity to find sources of food during the cooler months. During the year, blue jays normally live within a given territorial range. Sometimes there might be a bit of territorial overlap between pairs.
Male and female blue jays look identical. During breeding season, the male may be observed feeding the female. Females usually incubate the eggs with little or no help from the male.
I remember as a young boy a blue jay robbing the nest of another songbird. I don’t remember what kind of birds the jay robbed but I remember the blue jay predating on the eggs. For a long time I wasn’t overly fond of blue jays. But over the years I have realized that this is how they survive and their predatory behavior is part of the natural world.
Blue jays are very vocal and animated birds. They employ several different calls and body movements during courtship and territorial proceedings.
Related to crows, blue jays are very intelligent birds. They both have the habit of “mobbing” birds of prey such as hawks and owls. They sometimes will also mob cats, snakes and other predatory animals. Several jays will loudly announce the presence of a perceived predator. Often, other birds such as titmice, chickadees, cardinals and others will join in the auditory chattering causing quite a ruckus.
I have heard but not researched the theory that blue jays are not actually blue in color. That ultraviolet light causes them to appear blue. In reality their feathers are black, white and grey. If you get bored during a cold winter day this is something that you could research. Better yet assign this fun project to a child. You might just spark some interest and start them on a new hobby.
The next time you see a blue jay, think about the unique habits of these animated birds. They are truly important members in the family of our avian neighbors.
Enjoy your nature trails.
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