The Blue Jay

Classification Scientific NameKingdom-AnimaliaPhylum-ChordataClass-AvesOrder-

PasseriformesFamily-CorvidaeGenus-CyanocittaSpecies-Cristata

Cyanocitta Cristata

Relatives-Corvidae Gray Jay Steller’s Jay

Black-billed Magpie

American Crow

Physical Characteristics

More CharacteristicsLength: 9-12 inchesWeight: 2.5-3.5

ouncesWing Span: 13-17

inches

Close up of wings

Males and Females are

identical

DistributionEastern part of U.S.RockiesSouth CanadaOregonCalifornia

HabitatForestsParksBack yards

Conservation Stable/IncreasingCommon speciesIUCN-Least Concern

Reproductive CharacteristicsMales show off

Female chooses mate

Mate for life

Reproductive Characteristics Mate around 1 year old Build nest

together

Female lays 5-7 eggs

Female incubates eggs for17-18 days

Parental CareBoth parents care for babies

Babies stay with parents for 2 months

Longevity In the Wild In Captivity

7-8 yearsLongest recorded is 17

years

27 years

Causes of MortalityWest Nile VirusCatsDogs

Seasonal PatternsMigratesDepending on winter food suppliesIf there is no food then they migrate

DietAcornsNutsFruitsSeedsMiceFrogsInsects

PredatorsBarred OwlGreat Horned OwlRed-tailed HawkSharp-shinned HawkBlack Rat SnakeCats Squirrels

Human RelationshipHumans can’t hunt Humans can’t have them as petsHumans have love/hate relationship

Fun FactsThe blue color on the blue jay is actually from the pigment they receive from the sun. If you crush a blue jay feather the blue color disappears.

Blue jays are known for putting

something white on the front of their

nest.

Fun Facts Blue Jays do an unusual behavior called

“anting”

The End

Works Cited"Blue Jay." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013.

<http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/blue-jay/>.Bright Hub. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2013.

<http://www.brighthub.com/environment/science-environmental/articles/19094.aspx>.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013. <http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/blue_jay/id>.

The Free Resource. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2013. <http://www.thefreeresource.com/facts-about-the-blue-jay-bird-for-kids>.

Grandpa's Backyard Fun. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2013. <http://www.grandpas-backyard-fun.com/blue-jay.html>.

Schneck, Marcus. Backyard Songbirds: An Illistrated Guide to Familiar Species of North America. New York: Robert M. Tod, 1992. Print.

- - -. Garden Bird Facts. New York: Barnes and Noble, 1992. Print.Study of Northern Virginia Ecology. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2013.

<http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/blue_jay.htm>.Terres, John K. Songbirds in Your Garden: How to Attract, Feed, and Enjoy

Birds in Your Garden or Backyard. Illus. Matthew Kalmenoff. New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1987. Print.

Wild Bird Watching. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2013. <http://www.wild-bird-watching.com/Blue_Jay.html#sthash.RjoHBqO3.LvuIqvZq.dpbs>.