Blue jay is a common bird of the eastern half of the United States and Canada. It has blue and white plumage and a crested head. Like crows and magpies, it has a loud, harsh call. But the blue jay also produces a bell-like song.
An adult blue jay measures nearly 1 foot (30 centimeters) in length, including the long tail. The bird uses its tail to maneuver around tree branches and other objects as it flies. Its chin and underside are light gray. A collar of black feathers extends across its throat and the sides of its head. The blue jay can raise or lower the crest on its head. This crest has a gray-blue color with a purplish tint. The same color occurs in feathers on the bird’s back. The feathers on a blue jay’s wings and tail are bright blue, with white bands and black crossbars.
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During the spring, the blue jay may take eggs and young from nests of other birds. But most of its food consists of nuts and smaller seeds. It also eats many harmful insects. Blue jays build loose, untidy nests in trees or shrubs. They lay from three to six eggs, which are blue, green, or yellow with spots of brown or gray. The birds live about four to six years.
