Jays


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A picture of a jay.


What is a jay? You've probably heard of them, because several sports teams have chosen them as their mascot, but they're so much more than just a mascot! Jays are incredible birds, and are considered by the ornithology community to be highly intelligent birds. Jays typically eat seeds such as sunflower seeds and small-ish nuts like peanuts.

Jays also employ a wide range of interesting tactics. Some jays will cache their food like a squirrel for later, storing it away for a later meal in which they can dine in peace. Jays are sometimes considered to be agressive due to their high intelligence, which can be seen in a few of their tactics. The blue jay in particular is known to work in large mobs in order to survive. It's known to gather in large groups to chase of predators that threaten it. They've been known to use this tactic to chase away anything from a hawk to a human. And finally, jays are excellent communicators. They're vocal to each other in groups and often "sound the alarm" when predators arrive to keep the rest of their flock alive, as well as other birds in the area.

Jays, while they come in a large variety, are generally 22-33 centimeters from beak to tail. They come in all different colors, from the soft blue of the blue jay to the black and grey of the Canada Jay. They're generally blue, grey, or black in color however. Their beaks are pointed as to help them crack open their seeds to get to the inside, which they eat.