Beautiful, Yet Unloved

Almost everyone has seen them.  Many of you dislike them.  Their reputation precedes them as being loud, boisterous, cannibalistic, (by robbing nests of eggs and young), and pretty much a nuisance bird.  These descriptions do not accurately describe the much maligned Blue Jay, (Cyanocitta cristata).  

To the contrary, in my observations I've seen a bird that is loud for a reason, (usually using its voice as either a warning or a call to arms because of a situation where an intruder is present), boisterous because it knows how to have fun, cannibalistic because sometimes nature is cruel, but not a nuisance.  Rather a creature who has an outgoing personality and doesn't mind showing anyone that will listen.

I've seen Blue Jays guard a territory for an unseen reason, then within minutes, after the threat is neutralized, call every other bird that is within listening distance to a platform feeder feast.  They are polite when at the feeders giving other birds time to eat.  They sit patiently on a branch not far from the offered food, waiting for an opportunity to swoop in and grab one sunflower seed, as so to not bother the others.

If you sit and listen to the Blue Jay, you will hear a myriad of sounds, everything from a soft murmur of a chortle to a melodic melody, almost as if mimicking a Mockingbird.  Oh sure, there are the usual loud 'caw, caw, caw, caw', which as previously mentioned is either a call to arms because of a perceived threat or just an announcement that seems to say, "Hey!  I'm here and I want everyone to know it!"

Regardless of your current feelings, please take the time to listen and learn about one of natures more beautiful and intelligent birds.  Observe their behaviors and you will quickly see that you are clearly misinformed.  Watch them as they eat, feed their young, protect their territory and you will not be disappointed in what you see.

Behold the beauty that is the Blue Jay!