Blue jays are medium-sized songbirds that are native to North America. They are part of the Corvidae family, which also includes crows, ravens, and magpies. Blue jays are known for their intelligence, loud calls, and bright blue plumage. One of the most common questions people have about blue jays is when they build their nests and begin laying eggs. The nesting season of blue jays varies across their range, but generally occurs in the spring and early summer.
Blue Jay Nesting Range
Blue jays are found throughout eastern and central North America, from southern Canada to Texas and Florida. Their breeding range covers most of this territory as well. Here is an overview of when blue jays typically begin nesting across different regions:
Florida and the Southeast
In the southernmost parts of their range like Florida and other southeastern states, blue jays may start nesting as early as late February or March. The warm weather allows them to begin breeding early. Nest building and egg laying typically continues through May.
Mid-Atlantic and Northeast
Further north into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, blue jays tend to nest a bit later in spring. Late March to early April is when nesting activity picks up in these areas. Nesting season lasts through May and into early June.
Midwest and Great Plains
Blue jays living in the Midwest and Great Plains states like Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas breed in April or May in most cases. Some breeding activity may begin in late March. Nesting continues through June.
Southern Canada
In the southern parts of Canada such as Ontario and Quebec, blue jays start nesting in April or early May when spring arrives. The nesting period typically goes through June. Farther north, they may not begin until late May.
Western States
In western states within their range like Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and others, blue jays are on a similar schedule as the Midwest. They start nesting in April or May, with activity continuing into June or sometimes early July in the north.
Nesting Habits and Behavior
Now that we’ve looked at the geographic differences, let’s take a closer look at the nesting habits and breeding behavior that occurs during this time:
Courtship
– In late winter or early spring, blue jays begin their courtship rituals. This involves males feeding female birds and displaying their crest feathers.
– Bonded pairs may engage in courtship feeding and preening into the summer after eggs are laid.
Nest Building
– Female blue jays build the nest alone while males provide food and watch for predators.
– Nests are cup-shaped and made of twigs, bark, roots, moss, and other materials.
– They are typically built 10-25 feet off the ground in the branches of trees. Oak, beech, hickory, and conifers are common nest sites.
– Building the nest takes 2-3 weeks and is done in early spring, sometimes with a second unused nest built beforehand.
Eggs
– Within 1-2 weeks of finishing the nest, the female lays a clutch of 3-6 eggs.
– Eggs are pale greenish or brownish gray with darker speckles.
– The female incubates the eggs for around 17-18 days before they hatch.
Raising Young
– Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge from the nest about 21-22 days after hatching.
– Fledglings follow their parents around and are fed by them for 2-3 weeks after leaving the nest.
– By late June or July, young jays will be independent and on their own.
Why Do Blue Jays Nest When They Do?
The spring and summer nesting season of blue jays is timed to match the environmental conditions and food resources needed to raise their young:
Warmer Weather
– Incubating eggs and raising hatchlings requires warm, stable weather that is found in spring and summer.
– Colder temperatures and storms could kill embryos and young nestlings.
Food Abundance
– In spring and summer, more insects, fruits, seeds, and other foods are available to feed growing nestlings.
– This food abundance allows parents to regularly collect food for their broods.
Vegetation Cover
– The leafy greens of spring and summer provide cover from predators and shelter from rain and sun.
– Bare trees in winter provide less protective cover for nest sites.
Long Days
– The long days of the spring and summer allow for more time to find food and tend to nestlings.
– Short winter days provide less daylight hours for foraging and rearing young.
Threats and Dangers
Even with the more favorable conditions, there are risks blue jays face during the nesting season:
Predators
– Common nest predators include snakes, squirrels, raccoons, crows, owls, cats, and other birds.
– Humans may also disturb nests, resulting in abandonment.
Weather
– Cold snaps or heavy rain can kill eggs and nestlings. Nests may also be damaged in storms.
– Drought can reduce food supply for parents to adequately feed broods.
Parasitism
– Brown-headed cowbirds may lay eggs in jay nests, forcing jays to raise their young (brood parasitism).
– Nest parasites like bird mites can infest and weaken nestlings.
Blue Jay Breeding Adaptations
Blue jays have several behavioral adaptations to improve their breeding success:
Secretive and Quiet
– They build nests strategically hidden in dense foliage which helps conceal them.
– While incubating, females are very quiet and secretive. Their blue color helps them blend into the surroundings.
Cunning Nest Defenders
– Blue jays vigorously defend their nest and young from predators and other intruders.
– They may swarm or distract potential threats, or quietly slip away through foliage.
Careful Nest Site Selection
– They generally build nests on sturdy, mature tree branches to prevent falling.
– Sites are chosen to prevent easy access, provide cover, and have nearby food and water.
Attentive Parents
– Both parents actively gather food and watch over nestlings. They may store extra food nearby for easy access.
– Parents are very protective and stay nearby to watch over and defend nests.
Conclusion
Blue jays time their breeding season to match the abundant resources needed to successfully raise offspring. While adapted to deal with challenges, nesting remains an energetically demanding and risky time. The synchronized onset of nesting in spring, which varies across their range, improves outcomes. After surviving the nesting season, parents can recover and young can continue developing for their first migration south in the fall.