A bird never flew on one wing

A Danish proverb

Have you seen this bird?

Blue Jay

The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a passerine bird, and a member of the family Corvidae native to North America. It belongs to the “blue” or American jays, which are, among the Corvidae, not closely related to other jays.

The Blue Jay occurs from southern Canada through the eastern and central USA south to Florida and northeastern Texas. The western edge of the range stops where the arid pine forest and scrub habitat of the closely related Steller’s Jay begins.

Blue Jays have strong black bills used for cracking nuts, and acorns and for eating corn. They also eat grains and seeds in addition to insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars.

Identification Tips:
• Length: 10 inches
• Black sturdy bill
• Blue crest and upperparts
• Black eyeline and breastband
• Grayish-white throat and underparts
• Bright blue wings with black bars and white patches
• Long blue tail with black bars and white corners
• Dark legs
• Migrates during the day in small flocks

As with other blue-hued birds, the Blue Jay’s coloration is not derived by pigments, but is the result of light refraction due to the internal structure of the feathers; if a blue feather is crushed, the blue disappears as the structure is destroyed.

Range: The United States and southern Canada, chiefly east of the Great Plains; partially migratory.

Winter: The blue jay is an attractive winter bird. He fits well into the wintry scenery: bright, clear sky, and the blue shadows on the snow.

Enemies: Jays are subject to attack from the smaller, quick-moving hawks but appear in the main to be able to protect themselves.