Get Almanac's Daily Updates Extended Forecasts Where to Buy Contact Us

Bird Sounds: Blue Jay

Photo Credit
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Blue Jay Calls

Written By: Heidi Stonehill Executive Editor
Blue Jay Calls (250.03 KB)

The Blue Jay, with its striking plumage and bold personality, is a common sight and sound in backyards across North America. This intelligent songbird, with its vibrant coat of cobalt blue, crisp white chest, black collar, and bold crest, is easy to identify and so much fun to watch!

Recognizing the Blue Jay

  • Size and Shape: Measuring around 11–12 inches, the blue jay is a medium-sized songbird with a strong, sturdy build.
  • Coloration: Their plumage is a breathtaking combination of bright blue on the back, wings, and crest, contrasting with a stark white chest and underparts. The head features a black collar and a distinctive blue crest that can be raised or lowered depending on mood.
  • Unique Traits: Listen for their loud, varied calls, often described as a harsh “jay!” or a mimicking whistle.

The Life of a Blue Jay

Blue jays are known for their bold personalities and intelligence. They are often seen perched prominently on branches, surveying their territory with a watchful eye.

These adaptable birds have a diverse diet that includes acorns, nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, and even small vertebrates like lizards and nestling birds. Their sharp beak and strong feet make them efficient foragers.

Read Next

Blue jays are agile flyers and can maneuver through trees with impressive dexterity. They are also known for their playful antics, often engaging in aerial acrobatics and chases.

Where to Find Blue Jays

Blue jays are widespread across North America, inhabiting deciduous forests, woodlands, parks, and even backyards. They are particularly common in areas with access to a variety of food sources, such as oak trees and bird feeders.

Attracting Blue Jays to Your Backyard

  • Offer a variety of food sources: Place bird feeders filled with black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet cakes. Scatter nuts and acorns on the ground.
  • Provide nesting sites: Plant tall trees with sturdy branches where they can build their nests.
  • Create a water source: Add a birdbath to your yard to provide them with fresh water for drinking and bathing.

By creating a welcoming habitat, you can increase your chances of attracting these intelligent and entertaining birds to your backyard and witness their fascinating behaviors firsthand.

The blue jay is a captivating addition to the North American avifauna, captivating us with its stunning appearance, bold personality, and diverse vocalizations. By learning more about these remarkable birds, we can appreciate their vital role in the ecosystem and ensure their continued presence for generations to come.

Here, you can identify the sounds and bird song of the blue jay. Compliments of The Macaulay Library at The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Click here to listen to the sounds of other birds!

Have you heard a blue jay? Add your comments below. Be sure to let us know where you live or where you’ve heard this bird sound before!

Bird Sounds
About The Author
Heidi Stonehill

Heidi Stonehill

Executive Editor

Heidi Stonehill is the Executive Editor for The Old Farmer’s Almanac, joining the team in 2001. As such, she manages the content development of the Almanac’s line of wall, engagement, box, and special...
Read More from Heidi Stonehill

More Like This

Comments

<span>Patricia Night…</span> Thu, 05/17/2018 - 09:23
Blue Jays own my yard. I live in NE Ohio. We had Cardinals around 20 years ago, the Blue Jay’s fought them and claimed our yard. We are in the country with woods on two sides. The Jays drown out most other birds. They don’t seem to be afraid of us either.
<span>Erika Alves</span> Tue, 07/04/2017 - 16:08
We live in Rhode island and my backyard has some trees. Blue jays and cardinals are everywhere here. Beautiful! I feel blessed.
<span>Donna Kumpula</span> Wed, 05/10/2017 - 07:23
We live in beaver grove mi we have had one or two jays all winter very loud calls
<span>Prins</span> Sun, 02/21/2016 - 11:31
I was sitting in my suv this morning parked in front of the old farmers rock wall watching the chipmunks playing in the spring sunshine and I heard that call, I wasn't sure if it was a blue jay or woodpecker now I know for sure
<span>Julie Culshaw</span> Sat, 02/01/2014 - 08:54
The blue jays in my region seem to mimic the sound of clothes lines being pulled quickly. I have also heard a bird (not sure if it was a jay) mimic a telephone ringing.
<span>Sharon99</span> Thu, 05/09/2013 - 20:18
We have several of these pairs in our yard. They often try to steal the Robin eggs and the eggs from the Mockingbird's nest. It is quite comical to seek the Mockingbird chasing the Jay's and knocking him away from their tree. We live in northeastern Oklahoma
<span>Submitter</span> Sun, 04/28/2013 - 18:42
We have lots of blue jays here on the NC coast. I have several nests in my yard.
<span>Jay</span> Fri, 11/08/2024 - 06:55
I'm in the DFW area and have a couple that hang out in my magnolia tree and use the bird bath daily. They are fun to watch!