Blue Jay

1/400s at f8.0, ISO:800, Canon Mark IV 1D w/800mm, 1.4x converter


The Blue Jay occurs from southern Canada through the eastern and central USA south to Florida and northeastern Texas. The western edge of the range stops where the arid pine forest and scrub habitat of the closely related Steller\'s Jay. It is now a rare but regularly seen winter visitor along the northern US and southern Canadian Pacific Coast. The Blue Jay occupies a variety of habitats within its large range, from the pinewoods of Florida to the spruce-fir forests of northern Ontario. It is less abundant in denser forests, preferring mixed woodlands with oaks and beeches. It has expertly adapted to human activity, occurring in parks and residential areas. It feeds on the ground as well as in trees. Blue Jays typically form monogamous pair bonds for life. Both sexes build the nest and rear the young, though only the female broods them. The male feeds the female while she is brooding the eggs. There are usually 4–5 eggs laid and incubated over 16–18 days. The young fledge usually between 17–21 days after hatching. After the juveniles fledge, the family travels and forages together until early fall, when the young birds disperse to avoid competition for food during the winter.
Medicine Creek, NE
 
06/05/2011