Blue Jay Facts:
- Blue Jays are a bit of a mysterious bird
- They are intelligent and have complex social structures
- They notoriously love acorns and are credited with spreading oak trees
- Extremely abundant in Southwest Florida
- Blue Jays stay year-round in Southwest Florida
- Tend to mimic the sounds of hawks-particularly the red-shouldered hawk
- These birds can reach a foot long and have a wing span of 17 inches
- Blue Jays eat seeds, nuts, acorns and occasionally the eggs of other bird species
- Males and females can mate for life
- Females lay 4-6 brown spotted green eggs
- Nesting season begins in March and lasts until September
- Pairs will produce 2-3 broods a season
- Blue Jays are known to be noisy, bold and aggressive song birds
- Blue Jays are slower fliers and make them easy prey for raptor species
For more information regarding the blue jay and to hear their various songs and calls visit: http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/blue-jay
Pictures provided by Ian Weber
Shanna Weber