  the blue jay (cyanocitta cristata) is a passerine bird in the family corvidae, native to north america. it is resident through most of eastern and central united states and southern canada, although western populations may be migratory. it breeds in both deciduous and coniferous forests, and is common near and in residential areas. it is predominantly blue with a white chest and underparts, and a blue crest. it has a black, u-shaped collar around its neck and a black border behind the crest. sexes are similar in size and plumage, and plumage does not vary throughout the year. four subspecies of the blue jay are recognized. the blue jay mainly feeds on nuts and seeds such as acorns, soft fruits, arthropods, and occasionally small vertebrates. it typically gleans food from trees, shrubs, and the ground, though it sometimes hawks insects from the air. like squirrels, blue jays are known to hide nuts for later consumption. it builds an open cup nest in the branches of a tree, which both sexes participate in constructing. the clutch can contain two to seven eggs, which are blueish or light brown with brown spots. young are altricial, and are brooded by the female for 8â12 days after hatching. they may remain with their parents for one to two months. the bird's name derives from its noisy, garrulous nature.{{cite book |last=coues |first=elliot |title=key to north american birds |edition=5th |date=1890 |publisher=estes and lauriat |loc
Animals_described_in_1758 Birds_of_Canada Birds_of_North_America Birds_of_the_United_States Cyanocitta Fauna_of_Delaware_and_Maryland Fauna_of_the_Eastern_United_States IUCN_Red_List_least_concern_species Tool-using_tetrapods