When it comes to blue jays, there appear to be two divergent opinions. Some perceive them as bullies, intimidating other birds with their assertive behavior. On the contrary, others, including myself, find delight in the colorful antics that blue jays bring to our winter bird feeding stations.
My personal history is intertwined with a bird feeder situated just outside my bedroom window. While chickadees, juncos, and nuthatches were charming visitors, the arrival of a blue jay signaled the arrival of a charismatic showstopper. With its long tail, striking crest, and unmistakable attitude, the blue jay made an entrance that announced, “Look out world, the jay is here!”
As the years have passed and my observations of blue jays have continued, I am convinced that these birds are so intelligent that they often find everyday life somewhat mundane. Consequently, they invent ways to add excitement and entertainment to their existence. But before diving into their amusing antics, let’s explore their role in the natural world.
Color and Habitat
First and foremost, it’s important to note that there are no true blue pigments in a blue jay’s plumage. Instead, their feathers feature a thin layer of cells that absorb all wavelengths of color except blue. When illuminated, their blue hues intensify, but in the absence of direct sunlight, their blue tones may appear less vibrant.
In reality, blue jays are a striking blend of black, white, and blue. Their wings and tail are adorned with bold black bars and white tips, while their undersides sport a grayish-white color with black markings. Their iconic crest is blue at the front and transitions to black towards the rear. White sides frame their heads, marked by a distinctive black line through their eyes. Notably, both males and females share this striking coloration.
Blue jays are versatile in their choice of habitats, occupying deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests. However, they are equally comfortable in towns and residential areas. In regions like Illinois, blue jays are more frequently observed in communities than in nearby mature forests.
Dietary Preferences
When it comes to their diet, blue jays are true omnivores. Their menu includes a wide variety of food items. They are known to consume ground beetles, caterpillars, click beetles, wireworms, wasps, spiders, millipedes, and snails.
Concerning bird eggs and nestlings, research has shown that they account for only about 1% of a blue jay’s diet. While some predation of nestlings occurs, most nest failures are attributed to other predators such as hawks, owls, and falcons.
On the flip side, blue jays play a vital role in seed dispersal, especially when it comes to the mast of forest trees and shrubs. Beechnuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, and acorns make up a significant portion of their diet, approximately 43%. Their ability to cache or store nuts for future consumption is remarkable. One blue jay was observed packing around 100 sunflower seeds in its gullet, demonstrating their proficiency at storing and retrieving food items.
Vocal Virtuosity
Blue jays are not just renowned for their colorful appearances and varied diets; they are also celebrated for their vocal talents. Their vast repertoire of sounds includes jeer calls, rattle calls, pump-handle calls, swallowing calls, peep calls, whisper songs, squawk calls, and contact calls. These categories encompass a wide range of vocalizations, each serving different purposes.
The jeer call, for instance, is a loud nonmusical call used when blue jays feel potentially threatened by humans or predators. Interestingly, other birds respond to the jeer call, recognizing it as a warning signal. Blue jays, in this regard, often act as neighborhood sentinels.
Intriguingly, blue jays also engage in mimicry, imitating the calls of various birds of prey, including hawks and owls. While the reasons for this behavior are not definitively established, hypotheses suggest that blue jays may be warning of the presence of a predator, mimicking familiar sounds they’ve encountered, or attempting to deceive other species into believing a hawk is nearby.
In conclusion, the blue jay’s intelligence, adaptable diet, and vocal prowess make it a captivating and multifaceted member of the avian world. These clever birds bring not only color but also an element of surprise and entertainment to our natural surroundings. Whether you view them as the jesters or the protectors of the bird kingdom, there’s no denying their remarkable place in nature’s grand tapestry.
