Bird of the Month for October

Blue Jay

• Blue Jays aren’t actually blue. In fact, the pigment in their feathers is brown. Scattering light in the structural parts of the feathers causes us to see the blue coloration.
• The oldest known wild Blue Jay lived to be at least 17 years 6 months, which is nearly two years older than the oldest recorded Northern Cardinal.
• Blue Jays are omnivores, but they mainly stick to vegetation, berries, acorns and more. While they are infamous and sometimes loathed for eating the eggs of other birds, this behavior is actually quite rare.
• With the ability to mimic the calls of hawks, like the Red-shouldered Hawk, it’s believed that Blue Jays use the calls as a warning or to trick other species.
• Sometimes, Blue Jays take ants and wipe them across their feathers – a practice known as “anting.” Scientists believe they do this to make certain ants secrete their harmful spray, so they’re fit for digestion.
• Blue Jays form monogamous relationships that can last multiple breeding cycles. A pair will usually stay together until one of them dies.

Reference: backyardchirper.com – 10 Interesting Facts About Blue Jays by Timothy Martinez Jr.

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