• The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is found in eastern and central United States and southern Canada, often east of the Rocky Mountains, and is a year-round resident in eastern Colorado

• A member of the corvid family, Blue Jays are noisy and aggressive, with a distinct shrill harsh call.

• Males and females look alike – bright blue backs with white wing bars, a grayish chest, a black “necklace” and upright blue crest.  At around 11” tall, they have an average wingspan of 16”.

• Blue Jays prefer a habitat featuring deciduous or mixed woods and are common residents of urban parks.

• As omnivores, Blue Jays forage in trees and shrubs looking for seeds, nuts, and insects.  They are also very fond of bird feeders featuring suet and peanuts.

• Both sexes work together to build their nest high up in a tree. Typically, the female lays 4 to 5 eggs and both parents incubate them for about 17 days.

• There are four other jays found in Colorado:
• Steller’s Jay – Black head, dark-blue wings and body. Large, pointed black crest with white streaks on the forehead and above the eyes. Common resident of foothills and coniferous forests at elevations of 6,000-8,000ft.
• Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay – Blue head, wings, tail, and breast band. Gray on the chest, found in scrubby areas at lower elevations.
• Canada Jay - Gray with white on the forehead and nape of neck. Short black bill, dark eyes. Found in coniferous forests at elevations of 8,500ft and higher.
• Pinyon Jay – Dull blue over, intensifying on the head, throat has pale streaks. Found in arid woodlands of Intermountain Western Colorado. Populations in decline due to habitat loss.

Sources: volunteer Leslie Dixon, Birds of Colorado by Stan Tekiela, Field Guide to Birds of North America by Ted Floyd.