Scientific Name:   Cyanocitta cristata

Length:   9.8-11.8 in (25-30 cm)

Weight:   2.5-3.5 oz (70-100 g)

Wingspan:   13.4-16.9 in (34-43 cm)

Nest:   The nest is in tree, placed in vertical crotch of trunk or at horizontal fork in limb well out from trunk; usually 8-30' above ground, sometimes 5-50' up. It is a bulky open cup made of twigs, grass, weeds, bark strips, moss, sometimes held together with mud. Nest is lined with rootlets and other fine materials, often decorated with paper, rags, string, or other debris.

Eggs:   4-5, sometimes 3-7. Greenish or buff, sometimes pale blue, spotted with brown and gray. Incubation is by both parents (but female does more), about 16-18 days.

Feeding Behavior:   A favorite food is acorns, and they are often found near oaks, in forests, woodlots, towns, cities, parks. Forages in trees and shrubs and on ground. Comes to feeders for seeds or suet. Pounds on hard nuts or seeds with bill to break them open. Eats many insects, especially caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, and others; also eats spiders, snails, birds' eggs, sometimes small rodents, frogs, baby birds, carrion, other items.

Young:   Both parents bring food for nestlings. Young leave nest 17-21 days after hatching.

Range:   Present all year in most of range, but variable numbers migrate south in fall; big southward flights in some years, with thousands on the move, although they do not go south of the United States. Oak and pine woods, suburban gardens, groves, towns. Breeds in deciduous or mixed woods, avoiding purely coniferous forest.

Brief Description:   Large crested songbird with broad, rounded tail. Blue Jays are smaller than crows, larger than robins. White or light gray underneath, various shades of blue, black, and white above. Large and flashy, dull blue-gray on back, bright blue on wings and tail. Note crest, black necklace, white wing-bars and tail corners.