Jays are intelligent and charismatic birds that are beloved by many birders and feeder watchers. There are two types of jays that can be found in Minnesota with one being abundant, and the other being fairly rare. Here is everything you need to know about these two species.
Blue Jay
Identification
Blue Jays are an extremely distinctive species with sky blue on the head, back, wings, and tail. They have a light gray underside and a gray to white face. Blue Jays also have black markings on their wings and tail, as well as a black marking going from the back of the neck to the front of the chest. Blue Jays have a crest on their head that sometimes sticks up quite noticeably, and other times lays down flat. Something interesting about this species is that their markings differ slightly from individual to individual, meaning that each bird is subtly unique looking.
Range
Blue Jays live year round in the Eastern United States and Southeastern Canada. They also inhabit parts of Western Canada. In winter, Blue Jays move south and west with a higher concentration of Blue Jays in the continental United States than in the other seasons and some making it as far west as Washington and Oregon.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Blue Jays primarily eat insects and nuts, but will also eat eggs and nestlings of other birds in addition to small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
Where to Find This Bird
Blue Jays live in a wide variety of habitats including forests and backyards. They are especially fond of oak forests as acorns are a staple food item for the species. One of the best ways to see a Blue Jay is to put large nuts such as peanuts out in your yard. Then wait to hear the distinctive calls of Blue Jays that will appear to grab a nut and then quickly fly off.
Canada Jay
Identification
Canada jays (formerly known as Gray Jays) are fairly large birds with a dark gray back, wings, tail, and back of the head. They have a light gray underside and white on their face, forehead, and neck. Juvenile Canada jays are dark gray overall and look significantly different than adults.
Range
Canada Jays are birds of North Americas boreal forests, living in much of Central Canada, the Western Mountains of the United States, and some of the states bordering Canada in the Midwest and Northeast. This species is nonmigratory.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Canada Jays are ultimate omnivores, eating berries, carrion, insects, and even some types of fungi. They are known to take leftover food from humans, earning them the nickname camp robber. They also have been documented eating food soaked in alcohol and consequentially becoming intoxicated, earning them another nickname: Whiskey Jack.
Where to Find This Bird
Canada jays are at home in boreal forests as well as subalpine forests. Depending on the time of the year they can be reclusive while other times they seek out humans in hopes of getting a free meal.
In Minnesota, Canada Jays reside in the northern forests of the state yet due to low numbers coupled with the vast expanse of boreal forest in the region, they can be extremely difficult to find. The best way to encounter a Canada Jay is to drive the forest roads and hope to catch a glimpse of one.
Summary
Jays are unique birds that can be very fun to see in the wild as their cunning personalities can lead to some entertaining experiences. Knowing the habits, range, and key identification features of each of these species can be incredibly useful in knowing what to look for in the field.
If you enjoyed this post, please give it a like and a comment. Also be sure to check out the Badgerland Birding YouTube Channel.
