The Blue Jay Classification Scientific Name Cyanocitta Cristata

The Blue Jay

Classification Scientific Name �Cyanocitta Cristata �Kingdom-Animalia �Phylum-Chordata �Class-Aves �Order-Passeriformes �Family-Corvidae �Genus-Cyanocitta �Species-Cristata

Relatives-Corvidae Gray Jay Black-billed Magpie Steller’s Jay American Crow

Physical Characteristics

More Characteristics �Length: 9 -12 inches �Weight: 2. 5 -3. 5 ounces �Wing Span: 13 -17 inches Close up of wings Males and Females are identical

Distribution �Eastern part of U. S. �Rockies �South Canada �Oregon �California

Habitat �Forests �Parks �Back yards

Conservation �Stable/Increasing �Common species �IUCN-Least Concern

Reproductive Characteristics �Males show off �Female chooses mate Mate for life

Reproductive Characteristics Mate around 1 year old Build nest together Female lays 5 -7 eggs Female incubates eggs for 17 -18 days

Parental Care �Both parents care for babies �Babies stay with parents for 2 months

Longevity In the Wild � 7 -8 years �Longest recorded is 17 years In Captivity � 27 years

Causes of Mortality �West Nile Virus �Cats �Dogs

Seasonal Patterns �Migrates �Depending on winter food supplies �If there is no food then they migrate

Diet �Acorns �Nuts �Fruits �Seeds �Mice �Frogs �Insects

Predators �Barred Owl �Great Horned Owl �Red-tailed Hawk �Sharp-shinned Hawk �Black Rat Snake �Cats �Squirrels

Human Relationship �Humans can’t hunt �Humans can’t have them as pets �Humans have love/hate relationship

Fun Facts The blue color on the blue Blue jays are known for jay is actually from the putting something white pigment they receive from on the front of their nest. the sun. If you crush a blue jay feather the blue color disappears.

Fun Facts § Blue Jays do an unusual behavior called “anting”

The End

Works Cited "Blue Jay. " National Geographic. N. p. , n. d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013. <http: //animals. nationalgeographic. com/animals/birds/blue-jay/>. Bright Hub. N. p. , n. d. Web. 15 Mar. 2013. <http: //www. brighthub. com/environment/scienceenvironmental/articles/19094. aspx>. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. N. p. , n. d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013. <http: //www. allaboutbirds. org/guide/blue_jay/id>. The Free Resource. N. p. , n. d. Web. 15 Mar. 2013. <http: //www. thefreeresource. com/facts-about-the-blue-jay-bird-for-kids>. Grandpa's Backyard Fun. N. p. , n. d. Web. 15 Mar. 2013. <http: //www. grandpasbackyard-fun. com/blue-jay. html>. Schneck, Marcus. Backyard Songbirds: An Illistrated Guide to Familiar Species of North America. New York: Robert M. Tod, 1992. Print. - - -. Garden Bird Facts. New York: Barnes and Noble, 1992. Print. Study of Northern Virginia Ecology. N. p. , n. d. Web. 15 Mar. 2013. <http: //www. fcps. edu/islandcreekes/ecology/blue_jay. htm>. Terres, John K. Songbirds in Your Garden: How to Attract, Feed, and Enjoy Birds in Your Garden or Backyard. Illus. Matthew Kalmenoff. New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1987. Print. Wild Bird Watching. N. p. , n. d. Web. 15 Mar. 2013. <http: //www. wild-birdwatching. com/Blue_Jay. html#sthash. Rjo. HBq. O 3. Lvu. Iqv. Zq. dpbs>.