Blue Jay
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Cyanocitta
Species: cristata
La. passer sparrow, small bird
La. forma form, kind, species
iLa. corvus raven
La. -idae appearance, resemblance
Gr. kuaneos dark blue
La cristata crested
About twelve inches long. Purplish blue above with a conspicuous crest. Black forehead and some black around the neck joining some black on the back. Wings and tail bright blue barred with black. Grayer underneath and lighter on the throat & tail coverts.
It buries hoards of grain, nuts and acorns, or hides them in knot holes and behind loose bark many of which are forgotten and left to the mice and squirrels or to replant the forest.
The warning call of alarm that gives it its name alerts the whole forest, sometimes arousing flocks to harass owls. Has another common note that sounds like a barn door squeak. Is quite talented at imitating other birds like the red-shouldered and red-tail hawks, and other odd noises, even machinery.
A bully at feeders. Jays regularly strike dogs and cats and sometimes take a swipe at the top of someone’s head as they walk by.
The female lays three to six pale olive speckled eggs which hatch after about two weeks incubation and young leave the nest in about another three weeks.
On rare occasions blue jays have nested on ledges formed by building molding, cornices, headers, etc. and on robin platforms. Platforms will more likely attract robins than blue jays, however, either bird family will be fun to watch.
Assemble with corrosion resistant screws fit to pre-drilled countersunk pilot holes to reduce splitting wood.
Install a platform on the side of a garage, shed or porch under open shelter or an eave over looking both open spaces and foliage in your back yard from seven to twelve feet high.
Platform nesting birds claim platforms that best simulate ledges on cliff faces which are difficult for predators to scale. They can also scan the surrounding area and below.
If the location is under a roof, porch or eave, consider installing this Open Platform.
Robins, mourning doves and phoebes also may use these platforms.
Blue Jay
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Cyanocitta
Species: cristata
La. passer sparrow, small bird
La. forma form, kind, species
iLa. corvus raven
La. -idae appearance, resemblance
Gr. kuaneos dark blue
La cristata crested
About twelve inches long. Purplish blue above with a conspicuous crest. Black forehead and some black around the neck joining some black on the back. Wings and tail bright blue barred with black. Grayer underneath and lighter on the throat & tail coverts.
It buries hoards of grain, nuts and acorns, or hides them in knot holes and behind loose bark many of which are forgotten and left to the mice and squirrels or to replant the forest.
The warning call of alarm that gives it its name alerts the whole forest, sometimes arousing flocks to harass owls. Has another common note that sounds like a barn door squeak. Is quite talented at imitating other birds like the red-shouldered and red-tail hawks, and other odd noises, even machinery.
A bully at feeders. Jays regularly strike dogs and cats and sometimes take a swipe at the top of someone’s head as they walk by.
The female lays three to six pale olive speckled eggs which hatch after about two weeks incubation and young leave the nest in about another three weeks.
On rare occasions blue jays have nested on ledges formed by building molding, cornices, headers, etc. and on robin platforms. Platforms will more likely attract robins than blue jays, however, either bird family will be fun to watch.
Assemble with corrosion resistant screws fit to pre-drilled countersunk pilot holes to reduce splitting wood.
Install a platform on the side of a garage, shed or porch under open shelter or an eave over looking both open spaces and foliage in your back yard from seven to twelve feet high.
Platform nesting birds claim platforms that best simulate ledges on cliff faces which are difficult for predators to scale. They can also scan the surrounding area and below.
If the location is under a roof, porch or eave, consider installing this Open Platform.
Robins, mourning doves and phoebes also may use these platforms.
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Birds | Birdhouses | Plans