Blue Jay

LC - Least Concern

N5B, N5N - Secure Breeding and Nonbreeding

SNR - Unranked

not listed

The male is slightly larger but otherwise nearly identical to the female.

11″ to 12½″ in length

16″ wingspan

A loud, screaming, jay-jay-jay

A high note followed quickly by a low note, the pair often repeated rapidly two or three times, and sounding melodious. It is often called the “rusty pump call.”

It can also imitate a red-shouldered hawk.

Mixed and deciduous forests, agricultural areas, suburban areas, city parks

Common to abundant

The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map

Every morning for 3 yrs. the blue jays make a visit for peanuts in the shell. If I forget, they'll let me know. I'll hear them begging outside.

A Blue Jay flew onto the top of these vines feeding on berries. Along the Ortonville Bike trail.

The Blue Jay turned and looked at me and my grand daughter before going back to feeding.

The Blue Jay taking off after feeding.

...a blue bird sitting on her eggs in a lilac bush next to our deck. It was very easy to take the photos, because she was not going to budge for anything

Female Blue Jay

Location: Lake Shore

Every morning for 3 yrs. the blue jays make a visit for peanuts in the shell. If I forget, they'll let me know. I'll hear them begging outside

Nanna Bonnie
5/1/2021

Location: Yellow Medicine County

Just 1 feeding at my feeders

Location: Washington and Becker Counties

Location: Ortonville Bike Trail

The Blue Jay turned and looked at me and my grand daughter before going back to feeding.

Location: Anoka County

...a blue bird sitting on her eggs in a lilac bush next to our deck. It was very easy to take the photos, because she was not going to budge for anything

Female Blue Jay

Location: Rochester, MN

Location: Edenbrook Conservation Area