365 Urban Species. #046: Blue Jay

[urbpan]

Photo by cottonmanifesto

Urban Species #046: Blue jay Cyanocitta cristata.

If you only saw one blue jay per year it would be a magic experience,
that you would tell people about for months. They are large
brilliant birds possesing a hue that few other natural things share: a
few flowers, a handful of precious gems, and the sky on a clear day.
As it is, if you live where there are jays, you see them often, and
hear them almost constantly.

There are two main kinds of blue jays in North America, the crested
jays and the scrub jays. They share a loud, piercing, sometimes
metallic voice, a bold demeanor, and the reputation that follows.
Scrub jays are found in Florida and in the west; Steller's jays, blue
with black, are crested jays found west of the rockies, while the blue
with white crested jays (simply called "blue jays," for no great
reason) occur in the east, and are spreading west. Paradoxically, the
people for whom familiarity has bred the most contempt for jays, are
those who keep birdfeeders. Of course, these are the same people who
are responsible, in part, for the success of the urban blue jay.

Until the early twentieth century, jays were considered woodland
creatures, associated with nut-bearing trees like oak and beech. Like
their larger cousins the crows and ravens, jays cache food items. One
reason for their unpopularity among the birdfeeder set, is their habit
of stuffing their crop (a specialized widening of the esophagus) full
of sunflower seed over and over again, making sorties until the seed
is gone, or the jay is chased off. Being large, aggressive birds they
can dominate the feeders, preventing more desirable birds from
visiting. Additionally, jays are occasional nest predators, eating
the eggs and young of other birds. This habit is exaggerated, but
memorable. I recall encountering a jay flitting about with its maw
completely stuffed with the limp body of a nearly full grown house
sparrow fledgling.

EDIT:
If anyone reading this has taken a photograph of a Scrub Jay or Steller's Jay that they would like to post in the comments, I would like that.

Comments

[ex-wellread.livejournal.com]

I feel privilege to see any bird besides sparrows, pigeons, seagulls, crows and magpies. I saw lots of falcons one year. A few hawks. Any birds besides the ones mentioned are special to see for me.

[ankhanu.livejournal.com]

I may be strange, but, despite their being insanely common, I find crows pretty darn special :)

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

Since west nile ravaged their population in these parts, we rarely see them any more. It's always a treat when we do. Really odd considering just 5 years ago, they published a big article in the paper about crows and how annoying they are.

[ankhanu.livejournal.com]

That is sad :(
We only had a couple dozen dead birds due to West Nile in the province, I think.

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

You're very lucky!!

I consider myself blessed if I see one crow a week - usually, it's less than that. :(

[ankhanu.livejournal.com]

Blue jays are a fascinating watch... though I must agree, while most people enjoy the aesthetic of a blue jay, they find them contemptable due to their agressive behaviour and abundance.

I dunno, I find corvids, in general, a fascinating group.

Have you seen photos of green jays? Very nice looking birds as well.

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

Check out a male Splendid Fairy-wren in full breeding plumage. Does that come close to the blue? :) I saw one just yesterday.

[urimancy.livejournal.com]

Steller's jay:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hlk/232917916/in/set-72057594050983869/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hlk/232917950/in/set-72057594050983869/

Scrub jay:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hlk/92488651/in/set-72057594050983869/

Some old photos from when I lived in California.

I love jays, but I always think of white crested jays as the "real" blue jays and missed them tremendously all my years in the West.

Great entry!