10 Fun Facts About Blue Jays: The Clever and Colorful Bird Of North America

Blue Jays are one of the most exciting birds. They are easily recognizable by the bright blue color of their feathers and rather assertive behavior. These birds are at home in most areas of North America and awe bird watchers with their unique vocalizations and plumage.

Even though most people think they know everything there is to know about Blue Jays, there is, in fact, much interest one can discover about this bird. They grow so fast that when they mature, some chirp like other bird species; they are intelligent and flexible. Still, there is much more to learn about them. This article is about ten facts that most people need to know about Blue Jays, its features, and how it behaves. So, let's begin to explore!

1.   Ancient Lineage

These birds belong to the family Corvidae, which can be traced back to myosin about 25 million years ago. This family contains birds such as crows, ravens, and magpies. They are intelligent birds capable of sophisticated social actions and flexible in their choice of ways of life.

Moreover, they are ancient from one another; there is evidence of this in their behavior and intelligence. It is, therefore, not surprising that the Blue Jay represents a species that is interesting not only from a behavioral point of view but also from an evolutionary point of view.

2.   Life Span Of A Blue Jay

Blue Jays can live in the wild for approximately seven years, although some species may live as long as ten to fifteen years in controlled environments. These include Predation, food availability, and other environmental conditions. However, in captivity, where most of these risks are negated, they may live even longer, reaching as much as 17 years.

In 2016, a striking blue jay was spotted near St. Pierre and Miquelon on the Newfoundland coast. This wild jay, which was banded there in 1999, was around 27 years old at the time and has remarkable longevity.

Blue Jays are relatively long-lived and thus can build and sustain highly developed social organizations within their herds, which may be advantageous in their defense. They are also versatile and can be found in the wild and human-populated areas such as gardens, cities, and thick forests.

3.   Are Blue Jays Terrible Or Bad?

Another interesting fact about Blue Jays that people prefer to know is that these birds can be quite 'mean.' It is proven that they are aggressive in competition for the nests of other small birds. They take eggs and sometimes even small birds, depending on their sizes.

Studies show that these birds aren't as violent as people think. According to Florida research, common grackles, scrub jays, and red-bellied woodpeckers significantly outnumber blue jays in backyard environments.

However, that differs from the rule, as such behavior is less frequent than one may assume. Blue Jays are essential members of ecosystems as they supplement the populations of insects and are important seed dispersers. In practice, they possess qualities that can be considered good or bad, just like any of the species in the jungle.

4.   Crest Communication

Although renowned for being talkative and boisterous, blue jays may also communicate through body language. The feathers on the Blue Jay's head may look like a helmet, but little do most people know that those feathers are substantial regarding communication. Crests among the Blue Jays are used to indicate different feelings and plans they have. For instance, when a Blue Jay is relaxed or feels safe, its crest will be flattened against its head.

Nevertheless, if the particular bird is stressed, afraid, or stimulated, it is capable of lifting its crest, thus making the bird seem bigger and menacing. They are more aggressive the higher their crest. This signal is the key to maintaining interaction with the rest of the birds in that flock. The crest also aids them in expressing their feelings to anyone who might be an enemy, so they should stay clear. 

5.   Size and Speed

Blue jays are relatively medium-sized birds, ranging in size from about 10 to 12 inches, with a wingspan of 13 to 17 inches. They weigh 2.5 to 3.5 ounces. However, they are good fliers and are believed to be able to fly at an average speed of 20-25 miles per hour.

They are rather sturdy with rather large wings, enabling the birds to navigate the forests they reside in. Another interesting aspect that should be mentioned is that Blue Jays are swift flyers. At the same time, they are good at flying and moving around the trees as they skillfully avoid any predators. Their flight mode includes several to-and-fro flapping with interspersed gliding; therefore, they fly in a way that appears up and down.

6.   Less Visual Difference Between Male and Female

One interesting fact about Blue Jays is that males and females are almost indistinguishable. Due to monomorphism, male and female blue jays appear similarly, even though the males are more significant.

As in parrots, both genders have the same beautiful blue color, a black collar around the neck, and white underparts. Due to this, there are very few displays of sexual dimorphism, and people of the opposite gender are usually easily recognizable.

This may be why these two are very closely similar in terms of looks, given that both are monogamous and the male and female of the species are involved in rearing young ones. In the wild, they both possess similar kinds of feathers, enabling them to blend in the blue sky and tree branches, whereby being invisible is most important when avoiding predators.

7.   Very Noisy Birds

Blue jays are reticent during spring and summer because they would instead remain solitary during breeding. They are occupied with creating nests and caring for their young, and they are fed berries, hazelnuts, insects, and acorns.

Jays get together a lot in the winter to prepare food. They communicate about food supplies, stay in touch with their mates, and watch out for hawks during the autumn when they are most talkative. To alert one another, they also emit alarms.

They have so much to say and do it loudly and in many different pitches. You will likely hear them emitting different sounds, including calls and whistles. One of the most exciting features inherent in this type of bird is that they can imitate the sounds produced by other birds of other species, including the hawk.

This mimicry can occur in various ways. For instance, birds can mimic to scare off predators or confuse other birds. Blue Jays also like to give some vocal instructions within their groups, which means that if they find any danger or plan to do some activities, These are some of the reasons they can be effective and sound good in several settings because of their vocal range.

8.   Not A State Bird

Popularity has led some to speculate that blue jays should be considered state birds, similar to the Northern Cardinal (a state bird in seven states) and the American Robin (a state bird in three states each). The blue jay is the provincial bird of Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, despite not being the state bird.

Peculiarly enough, while they may be observed almost everywhere and are recognized by many Americans, the Blue Jay is not an official state bird of any state in the United States of America. This is quite astonishing, given that they are such a significant component of birdlife in the United States and are prevalent in several ecosystems throughout the country.

Most other states that could have gotten more regional birds or less colorful ones have decided to do otherwise, yet the Blue Jay, this eye-catching bird so suitable for this position, has been left out for some reason. Yet this does not remove the fact that they are one of North America's most famous and cherished birds associated with the Eastern woodlands.

9.   Blue Jay Babies Grow Fast

Blue jays have quick growth. They weigh about 5 grams before hatching, but when they fly 20 days later, they weigh about 60 grams (more than 2 ounces). A typical blue jay pair produces three to five nestlings, and the rapid growth of these nestlings depends heavily on protein.

The growth rate that the Blue Jays earn is speedy and marvelous. When they grow to these ages, it is considered that these young birds grow so fast in a short period because they feed on proteins that the parents readily supply. Blue Jay chicks grow from tiny, vulnerable eggs to solid and independent fledglings in as many as three weeks.

In this period, they get strength, feathers, and coordination, enabling them to face the world's hardships outside the nest. The fast development rate serves quite a purpose in that the creatures need to be able to fly as early as possible to escape predators. The parents are dedicated to their young, and both the male and female rollers are hardworking in ensuring they are well-fed and protected from danger.

10.  First American Birds

The blue jay's beauty enthralled the early colonists. The explorer Jaya Lawson observed in 1709 that their feathers were better and more attractive than those in Europe. In 1778, a different colonist said that blue jays were the most beautiful birds in the area.

With its remarkable blue, black, and white plumage, this giant crested bird was lauded in 1932 by Thomas Adler Roberts, who noted its intelligence and beauty. Blue jays, which constantly delighted onlookers as they soared from tree to tree, were another bird that John Audubon loved to watch. Everybody who watches a Blue Jay is always impressed by them.

They are easily recognizable avian species that were known to people inhabiting North America for a long time, and along with that, these birds were among the first for which early settlers tried to describe their appearance and behavior.

Of their striking blue color and loud calls, early explorers and travelers in the New World could hardly ignore these birds as they have been attracting the attention of naturalists and ornithologists. The position of the Blue Jay in American literature and folklore is attributed to its representations as a bird inhabiting the substantially untamed spaces of North America. These birds have been depicted in several histories of native America, where they are considered as birds of trickery and intelligence.

Conclusion

Blue Jays are much more than simply colorful birds with high-pitched calls. Understandably, due to the rise in affluence and social interaction, and most notably due to their great age, they are one of the most fascinating species of birds. Many people may have heard of them as creating nuisances to human life.

From the simple bird watcher to the more experienced and occasional observer, you are always in for a new lesson with these excellent birds. Their knowledge and positive attitude toward them can expand people's consciousness and improve their relations with the living environment.