The Blue Jay Mating Habits

Blue jays are loyal to their mates and form lasting bonds until one of them dies. Courtship is said to begin in early May each year. A group of seven or more blue jays including one female would gather on top of a tree. When the female flies away, she will be followed by the males until she lands in another location. The males will show off by nodding their heads up and down. Of course, the female will then choose her mate and the nesting cycle comes next.

This nodding motion is typical of blue jays during courtship and when they are fighting. A clue that the bird gives up or submits itself is when it crouches down and fluffs its feathers with its crest in an erect position or what is known as the “body fluff.”

After a female blue jay picks her mate, the pair then leaves the group. The chosen one strengthens their bond by providing food to the female. This ability is very crucial since it somehow tests the male’s ability to get food for their future family. The male also brings special twigs which are carefully examined by the female before putting in their prospective nest. The nest may be situated on a hardwood tree, an evergreen or an artificial structure like a power pole or windowsill. If the pair finds the area suitable, they start looking for bigger twigs to create a platform. From there, they build a softer cup for the eggs made of roots and thin vines.