Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata). Beautiful and exceptionally intelligent birds. They’re mimics. Included in their repertoire, are the calls of many hawks, particularly the Red-shouldered Hawk, and some owls. Predators that Blue Jays will avoid.

Males and females are alike except that males are a bit larger. They are monogamous, staying together for life. Both participate in nest building and raising their young, and have strong family bonds.

At your backyard feeder Blue Jays will eat most anything that you’ll put out for all the birds with the exception of Nyjer seed. I haven’t had my feeders out since late spring and plan to put them out tomorrow. I’m looking forward to seeing the Blue Jays that I’ve been hearing in the woods.