The Blue Jay
Classification Scientific Name Kingdom-Animalia Phylum-Chordata Class-Aves Order-Passeriformes Family-Corvidae Genus-Cyanocitta Species-Cristata Cyanocitta Cristata
Relatives-Corvidae Gray Jay Steller’s Jay Black-billed Magpie American Crow
Physical Characteristics
More Characteristics Length: 9-12 inches Weight: ounces Wing Span: inches Close up of wings Males and Females are identical
Distribution Eastern part of U.S. Rockies South Canada Oregon California
Habitat Forests Parks Back yards
Conservation Stable/Increasing Common species IUCN-Least Concern
Reproductive Characteristics Males show off Female chooses mate Mate for life
Reproductive Characteristics Mate around 1 year old Build nest together Female lays 5-7 eggs Female incubates eggs for days
Parental Care Both parents care for babies Babies stay with parents for 2 months
Longevity In the Wild In Captivity 7-8 years Longest recorded is 17 years 27 years
Causes of Mortality West Nile Virus Cats Dogs
Seasonal Patterns Migrates Depending on winter food supplies If there is no food then they migrate
Diet Acorns Nuts Fruits Seeds Mice Frogs Insects
Predators Barred Owl Great Horned Owl Red-tailed Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Black Rat Snake Cats Squirrels
Human Relationship Humans can’t hunt Humans can’t have them as pets Humans have love/hate relationship
Fun Facts The blue color on the blue jay is actually from the pigment they receive from the sun. If you crush a blue jay feather the blue color disappears. Blue jays are known for putting something white on the front of their nest.
Fun Facts Blue Jays do an unusual behavior called “anting”
The End
Works Cited "Blue Jay." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb Bright Hub. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb The Free Resource. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar Grandpa's Backyard Fun. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar Schneck, Marcus. Backyard Songbirds: An Illistrated Guide to Familiar Species of North America. New York: Robert M. Tod, Print Garden Bird Facts. New York: Barnes and Noble, Print. Study of Northern Virginia Ecology. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar Terres, John K. Songbirds in Your Garden: How to Attract, Feed, and Enjoy Birds in Your Garden or Backyard. Illus. Matthew Kalmenoff. New York: Harper & Row Publishers, Print. Wild Bird Watching. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar