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Nesting Behaviors of Blue Jays in North America

Blue jays are a birdwatcher’s joy, often topping their list of desired sightings. Although similar in appearance to other blue-colored jays like the Steller’s, Pinyon and Mexican jay, blue jays have distinct characteristics that make them stand out from the rest.

The nesting behavior of the blue jay is unique in many ways, including how these birds handle courtship, feeding, and defence against predation. Let’s learn more about this fascinating bird and its unique nesting conduct. 

Blue Jay Perched
Image by Rockytopk9 via Flickr.

North American Blue Jays

Blue jays are aptly named for the bright blue plumage on their wings and tails, which fades to a duller blue on their back. They are easily recognized by the black band around their neck, which can even be used to identify individual birds as the shape varies significantly from individual to individual.

Blue jays are crested birds. However, they relax their crest when at ease.

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Blue Jay With Crest
Image by Steve Jones via Flickr.

Blue jays stand out from similarly colored birds like bluebirds and buntings due to their significantly larger size.

Blue jays are both loved and hated. They are loved for their beauty and intellect but hated for their tendency to bully other bird species.These birds are notorious for shoving others off feeders, stealing eggs from nearby nests, and chasing away birds, small animals, and even humans who venture too close to their nests.

Blue Jays Nesting Behavior

Blue jays exhibit unique nesting behavior. But, before the nest, comes courtship.

Many males try their hand, well, wing, at winning the female, putting on grand displays of flight and following the female from tree to tree. She chooses her mate with a nod, yet they do not mate immediately. They instead continue to deepen their bond by sharing songs and grooming one another. 

Nest Building and Maintenance 

When it is time to build a nest, they work together as a pair- a rarity in the avian world. The male collects building materials, including twigs, tree bark, grass, leaves, and moss. He may also select other materials, such as cotton or newspaper strips, if they are located in an urban area. 

Blue Jay Nest
Image by Eric Tischler via Flickr.

Blue jays are territorial and must nest within their own area. The females prefer deciduous trees. They build their nests in a vertical crotch of the tree trunk or at a horizontal fork of a tree limb further out from the trunk. The building site is typically eight to thirty feet above ground and well camouflaged.

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The nest is large and cup-shaped, often with a white material lining the structure’s exterior. 

These birds are diligent homeowners and consistently work to keep their nest clean, sturdy, and well-maintained. They fervently defend their nesting location and clutch of eggs against predators, parasitic birds such as cowbirds, and other blue jays attempting to move in and steal the nest.

However, they will abandon their nest if absolutely necessary. This often only happens in cases where they need to prioritize their own survival over that of the clutch of eggs. This may be due to a natural disaster, human interference, or severe predation. 

Egg Laying and Hatching

Blue jays lay a small clutch of three to seven blue-green eggs.

The incubation process lasts about eighteen days. The female is the sole incubator to start, but the male sometimes steps in and lays on the clutch to allow the female time to stretch out her feathers and get a bath near the end of the eighteen days.

After hatching, fledglings remain in the nest, fed by both mom and dad for seventeen to twenty-one days. They then leave the nest with Mom and Dad to learn how to hunt and scavenge for their own food. 

Jay Fledgling Being Fed By Mom
Image by Vladimir Naumoff via Flickr.

Interesting Facts About Blue Jays

Blue jays are fascinating birds and there is endless information to learn about them. Below, we share what we find to be some of the most interesting blue jay facts

  • Blue jays are monogamous and often mate for life. 
  • Blue jays are one of the only bird species in which the male and female have no significant features that distinguish one from the other. 
  • Birds of this species can mimic the call of the red-shouldered hawk. They use this both as a warning to other blue jays in the area that a predator is nearby and a deterrent to smaller predators who may be a hawk’s natural prey. 
  • It has been discovered that these birds often utilize tools to simplify tasks. 
  • Blue jays are playful, especially juveniles. They can often be seen playing with shiny or colorful items, often picking it up and carrying the item with them for some time, like a toddler with a new stuffed animal. 
  • Birds of this species have strong family bonds. In addition to being monogamous, the parents stick with the fledglings while they learn to hunt and defend their territories. The family sticks together until it is time for the juveniles to find a mate. 
  • Blue jays have a diverse diet, including nuts, seeds, grains, berries, small fruits, insects, eggs, small rodents, baby birds, frogs, carrion, and more. They are especially fond of acorns and even hide them in tree trunks and underneath dirt for later. 
  • Blue jays are part of the Corvid family (which consists of ravens, crows, and other large birds of prey). This serves as an explanation for their high intelligence
Jay Feeding On Nuts
Image by Larry Reis via Flickr.
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5 replies on “Nesting Behaviors of Blue Jays in North America”

I love how they pick up peanuts and look for the biggest nut. But I noticed they bully a leucistic Blue Jay that also comes to our feeder. Fascinating information in this article.

@Joanne Granteed Thanks for your comment Joanne. We love Blue Jays too, but they do have a reputation for their bullying behavior!

We have two pairs of blue jays that seem to work together. All four will arrive at the feeder at the same time. I have read that bluebirds use communal nesting in the winter, wonder if blue jays do the same.

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