Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
(Corvidae)
11 inches long. The Blue Jay has a blue crest and blue upperparts. The underparts and throat are grayish-white. The wings are bright blue with black bars and white patches. The tail is long and blue with black bars and white corners. It has a black eyeline and black breastband. The legs are dark.
The Blue Jay is a common all year breeding resident of the Forest.
The Blue Jay has a direct flight with steady and buoyant wing beats. Over 70 percent of its diet is plant matter but it will eat animals including young birds. This Jay stores acorns in the ground for the winter. It is usually in pairs or flocks and is gregarious after breeding season, It can be aggressive toward other birds and is a noisy, bossy bird. Its voice is a sharp penetrating “Jay, jay, jay”.
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