Blue Jay Observation
The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)
The blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) belongs to the family Corvidae and the order Passeriformes (Cornell University, 2015). It is one of the most common birds to be sighted in the United States. It has a range that covers about 2/3 of North America (Johnson, 2011). Blue Jays tend to migrate only over short distances, and have never been observed anywhere south of the United States. Given their wide distribution pattern, many observations relating to their life history and ecology have been made allowing for a better understanding and appreciation of Cyanocitta cristata. Although blue jays have been observed in various habitats, they are most commonly found and observed near oak trees. When examining the location of these oak trees, blue jays are commonly …show more content…
A factor that has to be considered is the nest’s location and its risk of predation. Research has found that nesting success is not influenced by the nesting site/habitat characteristics but rather by the habitat’s influence on predator distribution (Tarvin & Garvin, 2002). Both the male and female work together to build the nest, and when construction is completed the female lays between 2-7 eggs once per breeding season (Cornell University, 2015). Both parents contribute to incubating the eggs, and feeding the nestlings once they are hatched. The young leave the nest at 21 days and typically reach independence, where they no longer need their mother and father, at the age of 3 months (Johnson, 2011). At maturity, both male and female blue jays have the same coloration pattern. The only way in which one could distinguish between the sexes is to take notice that male blue jays tend to be larger in size. The average weight of blue jays is between 2.3 – 3.84 oz (65 – 109 g) and the average body length is between 8.7 – 12.5 inches (22 – 32 cm) (Johnson,
The blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) belongs to the family Corvidae and the order Passeriformes (Cornell University, 2015). It is one of the most common birds to be sighted in the United States. It has a range that covers about 2/3 of North America (Johnson, 2011). Blue Jays tend to migrate only over short distances, and have never been observed anywhere south of the United States. Given their wide distribution pattern, many observations relating to their life history and ecology have been made allowing for a better understanding and appreciation of Cyanocitta cristata. Although blue jays have been observed in various habitats, they are most commonly found and observed near oak trees. When examining the location of these oak trees, blue jays are commonly …show more content…
A factor that has to be considered is the nest’s location and its risk of predation. Research has found that nesting success is not influenced by the nesting site/habitat characteristics but rather by the habitat’s influence on predator distribution (Tarvin & Garvin, 2002). Both the male and female work together to build the nest, and when construction is completed the female lays between 2-7 eggs once per breeding season (Cornell University, 2015). Both parents contribute to incubating the eggs, and feeding the nestlings once they are hatched. The young leave the nest at 21 days and typically reach independence, where they no longer need their mother and father, at the age of 3 months (Johnson, 2011). At maturity, both male and female blue jays have the same coloration pattern. The only way in which one could distinguish between the sexes is to take notice that male blue jays tend to be larger in size. The average weight of blue jays is between 2.3 – 3.84 oz (65 – 109 g) and the average body length is between 8.7 – 12.5 inches (22 – 32 cm) (Johnson,