1. Courting: During the late winter or early spring, blue jays engage in courtship rituals. Male performs various displays such as bowing, spreading their tail feathers, and singing to attract females.
2. Monogamous Pairs: Blue jays typically form monogamous pairs that stay together for multiple seasons, though not for life.
3. Nest Defense: Blue Jays are territorial and defend their nesting sites aggressively. They may engage in aerial battles and mobbing behavior to ward off potential threats, including other birds and predators.
Nesting:
1. Nest Construction: Both male and female blue jays contribute to building their nest, typically situated high in trees. The nest is a cup-shaped structure made of twigs, weed stems, grasses, moss, bark strips, and other plant materials.
2. Multiple Nests: Blue jays may build several nests before choosing the final one. This serves as a strategy to have a backup in case one nest is damaged or unsuitable.
Egg Laying and Incubation:
1. Clutch Size: Once the nest is ready, the female blue jay typically lays a clutch of 4 to 6 eggs, occasionally up to 7. The eggs are bluish-green or greenish-white in color with brown spots.
2. Incubation: The female alone incubates the eggs, which takes about 16-20 days. During this time, the male assists by bringing food to the female.
3. Nestling Care: After hatching, the altricial nestlings are cared for by both parents. They are fed a diet consisting mainly of insects, worms, and occasionally small vertebrates. Both parents also brood the young to keep them warm and protected.
4. Fledging: The baby jays remain in the nest for approximately 18 to 23 days before they are fully feathered and capable of flight. They may take several more weeks before becoming independent and leaving the family group.