Blue jay

Loud, bold, and impossible to miss, the blue jay brings a flash of blue to even the greyest Manitoba day. Its crest, black necklace, and white-barred wings make it one of the most recognizable birds on the prairies.

Blue jays are clever, social members of the crow family. They can imitate the calls of hawks, remember where they have hidden acorns and seeds, and raise the alarm when a predator is near. Many stay in Manitoba through the winter, while others head south for the season.

That blue is not a pigment at all. It comes from the way light scatters inside the feathers, which is why a jay can look dull grey in shadow and brilliant in the sun. Here are some of my favourite frames of this bird.

Blue jay perched on a wrought-iron post against a soft grey background

Photos

  • Blue jay perched on a stone bird bath beside pale purple hosta flowers
  • Blue jay in a bare, thorny branch against an orange sunset sky
  • Blue jay on a branch showing bright blue wings and tail
  • Blue jay standing on a snowy rock with a morsel of food in its beak
  • Blue jay perched on the edge of a mossy stone birdbath with ruffled, wet feathers
  • Blue jay perched on a bare branch

Back to Manitoba bird photography, or see the portfolio.