Life Cycle and Life Span
Monogamous. Males use dancing,
physical attributes, and sounds to attract
a lifetime mate. They form a pair and
raise the young together. Breeding
activity occurs mostly in the months
March through July. Females produce
approximately 3 to 6 eggs, and incubate
the eggs for 17 to 18 days. The male
brings the female food while it is
incubating the eggs.
Nestlings begin to wander 1 to 3 days
before the brood fledges. The brood
usually leaves the nest together when
they are 17 to 21 days. Young remain
with and are fed by parents for at least a
month to two months. Variation exists
in how quickly young become
independent. Sexual maturity is reached
after one year of age. When mature they
measure 25 to 30 centimeters in length,
weigh 70 to 100 grams, and wingspan is
34 to 43 centimeters. In captivity, blue
jays live up approximately to 26 years of
age. The average lifespan up to
adulthood for the Cyanocitta Cristata in
their environment is 7 years.
Cynthia Alvarez
Phylogeny
Cyanocitta Cristata
originated in the United
States. Commonly found in
eastern United States and
southern Canada. Most
abundant in the
southeastern state of
Georgia.
Habits and Communication
Communicate with each other through vocalization and body
language using their crest. The crest is down when incubating,
feeding nestlings, and associating with other blue jays. The
higher the crest is elevated the higher the level of aggression
the bird has, and the crest is always elevated when the bird
squawks. Blue jays imitate the sounds of other animals like
hawks to alert others or to scare other birds. They carry food
in their throat and upper esophagus called a gular pouch,
enabling them to store 2 to 3 acorns. Only New World bird
that migrates north to south , but less than 20 percent of these
birds migrate.
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Vertebrata
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Cyanocitta
Species: Cyanocitta cristata
Habitat
Found in commonly in
deciduous forests.
Common in urban and
suburban areas near oak
trees and bird feeders.
Nests are found in thick
branches of deciduous or
coniferous trees.
Interesting Facts
 The oldest known wild blue jay
lived up to 17 and a half years
old.
 Much of their migration
remains a mystery.
 Pigment in their feathers is
brown, but the light
interference and feather
structure make it seem blue.