upperparts many shades of blue and purple (Florida, USA; 2007-12-31)


Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata

Native Range: North America

Notes: a crested jay of open woodlands and suburbia across the eastern USA; bold and noisy; gets its name from its loud call, jaaay, jaaay...; a medley of blues and purples makes this aggressive species arguably one of the most beautiful birds in North America; usually travels in small groups, seeking acorns and other favored foods that it sometimes caches before eating.

underparts mostly whitish-gray; black necklace (Michigan, USA; 2007-08-14)
a common site at bird feeders (Michigan, USA; 2010-08-28)

sturdy bill; crest is often not raised (Florida, USA; 2007-12-31)
flying with an acorn (Florida, USA; 2008-12-21)

posing for portrait with a seed (Michigan, USA; 2007-08-14)
posing for a portrait (Michigan, USA; 2012-08-24)

looking pert (Michigan, USA; 2012-08-24)
frontal view (Michigan, USA; 2012-08-24)

posing for a head portrait (Michigan, USA; 2012-08-24)