Throughout most of eastern North America, you can spot this familiar yet breathtaking bird, which is bright blue on top and pale gray on the underside, with a fluffy crest.

A little, multicolored bird indigenous to the Americas, the blue jay is scientifically known as Cyanocitta cristata. They have a blue crest, white underparts and breаst, and a black U-shaped collar around their necks and a black border behind their crests. Their coats are mostly blue.

In this species, the plumage of the male and female birds does not change from season to season.

These birds can be found across the majority of the eastern and central US, with migratory populations in the east.

Newfoundland, Canada is home to resident populations, whereas several regions in southern Canada are home to breeding populations.

From Florida’s pine forests to northern Ontario’s spruce-fir forests, the blue jay’s vast range encompasses a wide array of habitats. It prefers oak and beech woodlands and is less common in thicker forests. It indicates that forests with a good number of trees, but not too many, are their ideal habitat. They are most often found in woodlands that are home to both oak and beech trees. Assuming there are sufficient trees in parks and gardens, urban settings can also support human habitation.

As omnivores, blue jays eat both land and marine creatures. They eat a variety of foods such as acorns, nuts, weeԀ seeds, grain, fruits, bread, meat, tiny invertebrates, park scraps, bird seed, and very infrequently, eggs and brood.

Lifelong monogamous pair relationships are formed by this species. Beginning in the middle of March and continuing all the way into July, the breeding season reaches its height between the middle of April and the beginning of May. Blue jays aren’t fussy about where they lay their eggs. They will occupy the nests of other medium-sized songbirds or use huge mailboxes as alternatives if there is no appropriate tree or bush in the area. Crafted using various plant-based materials, a cup-shaped nest is constructed using twigs, tiny roots, bark strips, moss, and more. Fabric, paper, feathers, and even mud can be found in it on occasion. The female is the one that broods the babies, however both sexes help create the nest. While the female is doing this, the male provides her with food. Typically, a clutch of 3–6 eggs is placed and left to hatch for 16–18 days.
The young birds may stay with their parents for up to two months after hatching, and they typically fledge between seventeen and twenty-one days later.