The blue jay egg color comes in an interesting variety. Amp up your knowledge about the color they bring to your backyard.
Blue jay eggs can be found in light brown, light blue, light green, and even yellowish shades. They are usually accompanied by a distinct dark brown speckled pattern. This differentiates the blue jay’s eggs from other birds and will help you identify the homes of other species.
Are you interested in learning more about blue jay eggs? In this article, we will run through some of the interesting facts about blue jay eggs’ colors and nesting habits.
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Blue Jay Egg Colors
Did you know that the blue jay egg color comes in a variety? There are a bunch of factors that end up in a uniquely colored egg, compared to the brown and white ones that the public is used to. Something that unifies them all, however, is the presence of darker spots covering the entire surface of the shell.
Colored eggs are not that strange, and even common chickens can lay the occasional egg with a blue or green tinge. These are caused by some genetic quirks in certain breeds. There are simply some breeds that are predisposed to laying these kinds of colors.
Light Brown
This is the most typical blue jay egg color. They are also speckled with darker brown spots all over the surface of the egg. You are likely to find these kinds of eggs in blue jays nests. They look a little similar to the eggs of the Northern Cardinal, given their brown base and darker brown spots.
Light Blue
Robin’s eggs are famously blue, but the blue jay can sometimes have the penchant for laying similarly-colored eggs. When they do lay blue eggs, it’s quite faint and closer to a washed-out gray.
Light Green
Similar to the light blue color, it presents more as a tinge rather than an opaque shade. Some might even say it’s a bit similar to a jade color.
Yellow
It’s also possible for the eggs to take on a yellowish tinge. It could also be thought of as a warmer, more washed-out brown shade.
Blue Jay Egg Facts
Aside from the color, there are other things you might want to know about blue jay eggs.
The typical size of one egg is on average, 1 to 1.3 inches (2.5 to 3.3 cm) in length and 0.7 to 0.9 inches (1.8 to 2.2 cm) in width. This is half of a typical chicken egg laid by a large farm hen!
A blue jay clutch, which refers to the number of eggs a mother bird lays at a given time, is expected to be around two (2) to seven (7) eggs. They will hatch after about 16 to 18 days.
During this time of incubation, the blue jay “family” usually sticks together. The female usually remains in the nest, busy incubating the children. The male stands guard of the nest against threats and provides the female with food.
Upon hatching, the blue jay mother uses its super sharp beak to quickly discard the eggshells surrounding the young. This is to prevent any accidents from the sharp edges of the shell. This also serves as a way to throw of the scent of nearby predators, as the eggs could start to give off a smell that could give the location of the nest (and its babies) away.
Blue Jay Nesting Habits
What other behaviors can you expect to observe during the birds’ nesting season? Here are some interesting things to check out about blue jays.
When Do Blue Jays Lay Eggs?
The blue jay nesting season runs from Spring to Summer. You will find the blue jays building and populating their nests in the five-month span between March and July.
What Is The Blue Jay Nest Made Out Of?
Much like typical birds, they create their nests out of various materials that they find around the forests. This includes sticks and twigs from trees, as well as roots. They also pack in some foliage synch as leaves and grass.
Both the mother and the father birds lay a hand in creating the special abode for their offspring. During the incubation period, the male can sometimes step in to substitute, allowing the female some rest and an opportunity to stretch her wings – talk about teamwork!
Where Can You Find A Blue Jay Nest?
Unless you are using binoculars or climbing up trees, you might not see a blue jay egg nest in your life. This is because they like to build their nests way up high. One of their favorite trees is the oak tree. It makes total sense that one of their favorite snack foods is the acorn.
They typically choose to build nests in trees that are located on the edges of the forest, rather than deep inside it. In fact, it is very common to see them around suburban areas.
However, there have been reports of blue jays living in more populated areas nesting in places like abandoned buildings and electrical poles.
Are Blue Jays Rare Or Endangered?
Have you encountered a fledgling blue jay outside of its nest? This is sight may cause some concern for amateur birdwatchers and passers-by in the forests where they reside. However, our young feathered friend should be just fine.
Blue jays are considered a species of “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They have a large population all throughout Canada, the United States, and some parts of Mexico.
However, since the blue jay has inched closer to suburban life, they are exposed to certain dangers while living and flying around these areas. This includes industrial, infrastructural, and vehicular accidents.
Conclusion
Blue jay egg colors have their distinct style and profile. When you’re on the lookout for blue jays in your birdwatching adventures, keep these facts and mind to maximize your sights and sounds!
Have you ever seen a blue jay nest? Did you find it in the woods or close to your home? Let us know about your experience in the comments below.
