© 2018 Lawrence A. Dyer
BLUEJAY IN PINE, 18” X 22”, 1982
Blue jays are natural forest dwellers, but they are also highly adaptable and intelligent birds. They are a familiar and noisy presence around many North American bird feeders. The blue jay's “Jay! Jay” call is only one of a wide variety of sounds the bird employs—including excellent imitations of several hawk calls. They predominantly blue with a white chest and underparts, and a blue crest. It has a black, U-shaped collar around its neck and a black border behind the crest. Both sexes are similar in size and plumage,
There is a pronounced crest on the head, a crown of feathers, which may be raised or lowered according to the bird's mood. When excited or aggressive, the crest will be fully raised; when frightened, the crest bristles outwards, brush-like. When the bird is feeding among other jays or resting, the crest is flattened on the head.
Blue jays are natural forest dwellers, but they are also highly adaptable and intelligent birds. They are a familiar and noisy presence around many North American bird feeders. The blue jay's “Jay! Jay” call is only one of a wide variety of sounds the bird employs—including excellent imitations of several hawk calls. They predominantly blue with a white chest and underparts, and a blue crest. It has a black, U-shaped collar around its neck and a black border behind the crest. Both sexes are similar in size and plumage,
There is a pronounced crest on the head, a crown of feathers, which may be raised or lowered according to the bird's mood. When excited or aggressive, the crest will be fully raised; when frightened, the crest bristles outwards, brush-like. When the bird is feeding among other jays or resting, the crest is flattened on the head.