Blue Jay

Blue JayOne of the most popular North American birds, the Blue Jay’s habitat spans over all of eastern US and partially into Canada. They can be found primarily in oak and pine forests, and they may also be spotted in city parks and suburban yards, especially where oak trees predominate. They bury seeds and acorns, and since many of them are never retrieved they are essentially tree planters. It viciously attacks predators, and lets out a raucous scream to warn of nearby hawks or owls. Although seen all year, Blue Jays are migratory and travel in large loose flocks of between 5 and 50 in both spring and fall. Birds from the north replace southern birds in the winter.

The Blue Jays most characteristic feature is its being blue, with a white underside, white and black stripes on its wings and tail. It has a black stripe around its neck and a small crest, the elongated feathers standing out on the nape of its head.