What do blue jay nest look like?

What do blue jay nest look like?

The nest is a bulky cup made of twigs, leaves, roots, grass, moss and sometimes held together by mud. Usually placed between 8 to 30 feet above ground.

What kind of trees do blue jays like to nest in?

Blue jays don’t use bird houses–they prefer mature and secure trees where they can build a nest. If a tree can double as a food source, they’ll definitely choose it. Beech, oak, and hickory are some popular trees for jays. To encourage nest building, leave out materials like grass clippings, sticks, and small twigs.

What time of year do blue jays lay eggs?

Blue jays lay eggs in the spring and summer, usually between the months of March and July. Mid-April until the end of May is peak season for breeding. The average nest size is 3-7 eggs but females can have up to two broods per year. With an incubation period of only 16-18 days there is plenty of time.

Are Blue Jays male or female?

The Blue Jay is a white-faced bird with a distinctive blue crest, back, wings and tail. The Blue Jay has a very heavy bill which is used to peck open a variety of nuts, acorns and cocoons. Male and female Blue Jays are almost identical in appearance. Males are just slightly larger than females.

Where do Blue Jays go in the winter time?

Most blue jays nest across eastern North America. Some will nest as far west as the Rocky Mountains while others will go as far as central Canada. Others have colonized areas in the Pacific Northwest. Some birds will also spend the winter in eastern Wyoming and eastern New Mexico.

Why do blue jays hide peanuts?

Jays will cache seeds and nuts to retrieve later, and make repeated trips to feeders to gather food and hide it in a safe spot. Due to the birds’ habit of burying acorns over a wide area, 11 species of oak trees have become dependent on blue jays for the dispersal of their acorns.

What is the best feeder for Blue Jays?

Blue Jay Feeders. The best bird feeder for attracting blue jays is a platform bird feeder or a squirrel proof hanging bird feeder for dispensing peanuts.

What is the life cycle of a blue jay?

Blue jays are monogamous and mate for life. They will stay with their mate until one of them dies. The average life span of a Blue Jay is 7 years, but one was studied in the wild to live to 17 years old and one in captivity is reported to live 26 years! Blue jays seem to be susceptible to the West Nile Virus .

What do predators eat Blue Jays?

What Predators Eat Blue Jays? Predators of adult blue jays include falcons, owls and hawks while nestling blue jays may become prey to snakes, crows, squirrels, raccoons, cats, other blue jays and birds of prey. When a nest is in jeopardy, both blue jay parents sometimes unite to attack or chase off predators.

Do Blue Jays mate for life?

Blue jays are often known as true love birds, because they are one of the birds that mate for life. In addition, from the initial mating ritual to the sharing of parental duties, a blue jay couple is an interesting example of a peaceful animal partnership.