Northern Illinois | 2/07/2020 9:30 am Local Time | Mostly Cloudy 28°F Light Winds
In Search of Snowbirds | Blue Jay Alert Blue Jays are one of the most colorful birds in northern Illinois. They are very flighty and fly off at the slightest noise or disturbance. Capturing a good photograph of them can be very challenging. For more information and images, see Blue Jays | a 7 Image Story.
The Back Story While stretching a bit after several early morning hours in front of the computer, I made a quick glance out the window and noticed this Blue Jay on a nearby branch. Blue Jays don’t stay in one place very long. The camera was close. After a couple of clicks, it was gone.
Quick Facts…
| Blue Jay … Blue above. white below with crest and bold black necklace. Wings/tail barred black. | |
| Habitat | Oak & pine woods, gardens, groves, towns. Likes habitat with many oak or beech trees. |
| Range | Common in Northern Illinois |
| Nest | Open cup made of twigs, grass, weeds, moss, & mud in crotch of tree trunk or fork in limb. |
| Diet | Omnivorous. Mostly vegetable matter; seeds, grain, etc. Many insects & some small rodents. |
| Behavior | Forages in trees, shrubs and on ground. Comes to feeders for seeds. |
| Size | Length: 9.8-11.8 in | Weight: 2.5-3.5 oz | Wingspan: 13.4-16.9 in Size between robins & crows. |
