Blue birds and jaybirds can sometimes look similar at first glance, but there are some key differences between these two types of birds that can help identify them. In this article, we’ll go over the quick answers to common questions about telling blue birds and jaybirds apart, and provide more details to help you conclusively determine whether you’re looking at a blue bird or a jaybird.
Quick Questions and Answers
What are the main physical differences between blue birds and jaybirds?
Blue birds are smaller, with a thinner beak, and males are bright blue on top with a rusty reddish color on their throat and chest. Jaybirds are bigger, with a thicker beak, and usually have blue and black feathers on their wings, back, and head.
What colors can you see on a blue bird?
The male blue bird is vivid blue on its back and head, with a rusty reddish color on its throat and chest. Females are more muted, with gray-blue feathers on top and a pale rusty color below.
What colors can you see on a jaybird?
Jaybirds have blue and black feathers, usually with some white spotting. Their heads are often crested. The blue jay has bright blue feathers on its wings and tail, a black collar, and a white face.
Where do blue birds and jaybirds live?
Blue birds live in open areas like meadows and prefer to nest in cavities of trees and birdhouses. Jaybirds live in forests and woodlands and build nests high up in the trees.
What do blue birds and jaybirds eat?
Blue birds eat insects and berries. Jaybirds are omnivores and eat nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, frogs, eggs, and small rodents.
Identifying Physical Differences
When seen side-by-side, the physical differences between blue birds and jaybirds are quite apparent.
Size is one of the most obvious differences. Blue birds are small, only reaching lengths of 6 to 8 inches, with wingspans around 12 inches. Jaybirds are distinctly bigger, usually around 9 to 12 inches in length with wingspans around 13 to 17 inches.
| Bird Type | Length | Wingspan |
|---|---|---|
| Blue bird | 6 to 8 inches | 12 inches |
| Jaybird | 9 to 12 inches | 13 to 17 inches |
The shape and thickness of the beak is another stark contrast. Blue birds have thinner, shorter beaks more suited for eating insects and berries. Jaybirds have thicker, stronger beaks which are an adaptation for cracking hard nuts and seeds.
Plumage coloration provides some of the most telling identification clues. Male blue birds are famous for their brilliant royal blue feathers covering their back and head. Females are not as vividly colored, usually having paler blue-gray feathers on top and a distinctive warm rusty color on their throat and chest.
Meanwhile, jaybirds exhibit combinations of blue, black, and white feathers, often with bold black collars and crested heads. The blue jay in particular has deep blue wings and tail, a prominent black collar around its neck that transitions to white down to its belly.
Habitats and Nests
Blue birds and jaybirds have adapted to thrive in different habitats, which provides more helpful clues for identification.
Blue birds prefer open meadows, pastures, orchards, backyards, parks, and other open areas with scattered trees. They avoid dense forest habitats. Their nests are made in cavities of trees, old woodpecker holes, nest boxes, and various human-provided nesting sites like birdhouses.
Jaybirds inhabit forest and woodland habitats including both coniferous and deciduous forests. They build nests high up in the trees using twigs, bark, and other materials. Their nests are cup-shaped rather than inside cavities.
If you find a bird’s nest in a tree cavity, especially a birdhouse, it likely belongs to a blue bird. Nests built securely high up in tree branches probably belong to jaybirds.
Diet and Feeding Behavior
The foods that blue birds and jaybirds prefer to eat are different as well. This can help identify them when observing their feeding behaviors.
Blue birds primarily eat insects including caterpillars, beetles, crickets, and grasshoppers. They supplement their diet with berries and fruits including sumac, elderberry, black cherry, wild grape, dogwood, and hackberry.
Jaybirds are omnivorous, feeding on a wide variety of foods. They eat nuts, acorns, seeds, fruits, berries, grains, frogs, eggs, mice, spiders and insects. Jays sometimes raid other birds’ nests for eggs and nestlings.
Blue birds hunt for insects in open fields by perching on low branches or wires and swooping down to catch them. Jays make short flights from tree branches to grab fruits, nuts and prey items on the ground.
Watching a bird’s foraging tactics can therefore help determine if it is a blue bird or jay. Short flights between trees and ground with an omnivorous diet point to a jay, while perching and insect hunting indicates a blue bird.
Geographic Range
The different ranges of blue birds versus jay species provide another identification clue based on location.
The eastern bluebird and western bluebird are found throughout most of North America. The mountain bluebird lives on the western half of the continent. Combined, blue birds inhabit most of the U.S. and southern Canada.
In comparison, jay species like the blue jay, gray jay, Steller’s jay and scrub jay have more restricted ranges concentrated on either coast or in specific regions. For example, Steller’s jays only live along the Pacific coast while scrub jays occupy the western half of the U.S.
| Bird Type | Geographic Range |
|---|---|
| Eastern bluebird | Most of eastern North America |
| Western bluebird | Western half of North America |
| Mountain bluebird | Western North America |
| Blue jay | Primarily eastern North America |
| Gray jay | Subarctic forests of North America |
| Steller’s jay | Pacific coast of North America |
| Scrub jay | Western half of North America |
So a sighting on the east or west coast narrows down the possibilities compared to the central plains and northern areas where ranges overlap more. Use location as an extra clue to confirm suspicions based on appearance and behavior.
Calls and Songs
The vocalizations of blue birds and jays provide more helpful identification indicators.
Blue birds produce simple, melodious whistled calls to communicate with each other. Their song is described as a pleasant rising and falling warbling.
Jaybirds make a wider variety of harsh, noisy calls, squawks and alarm shrieks. Blue jays are renowned for their loud, sometimes incessant, scolding calls.
If you hear gentle warbling, it’s likely a blue bird. Louder scolding and squawking indicates a jaybird.
Movements and Behavior
Subtle differences in movement and behavior can offer final confirmation when identifying between blue birds and jaybirds.
Blue birds have graceful and gentle movements. They perch with their tails pointed down before dropping to catch insects. Their flight style is delicate and fluttery.
Jaybirds move in a more aggressive, jerky manner. They hop between tree branches using their strong feet with tails cocked upward. Their flight is direct and purposeful over short distances between perches.
Blue birds are generally shy and non-confrontational. Jays are bold and sometimes aggressive, known for mobbing predators and raiding other birds’ nests.
Watching a bird’s mannerisms can therefore reveal if it’s a placid blue bird or feisty jay.
Conclusion
Telling blue birds apart from jaybirds relies on careful observation of multiple characteristics including size, beak shape, colors, habitat, diet, calls, and behavior. With practice, the differences become quite apparent.
Key identification points are the brilliant royal blue plumage of male blue birds, their preference for open habitats and nesting in cavities, an insect-based diet, melodious warbling calls, and graceful shy nature.
In contrast, jaybirds are larger and chunkier, with blue and black feather patterns, frequent noisy scolding calls, omnivorous feeding involving nuts and acorns, residence in forested areas, and bold raiding behaviors.
Taking note of all these factors in combination makes definitively determining whether an observed bird is a blue bird or a jay much simpler. Careful examination and deductive reasoning based on their defining traits reliably leads to the right identification.
So next time you get a glimpse of a small colorful songbird, take a moment to assess its size, beak shape, colors, location, diet, nest, sounds, and motions. Only once you have checked through all these clues can you confidently know if you spotted a beautiful blue bird or a brash jay.
