Although the Blue Jay isn’t always considered a welcome visitor at most bird feeders, the species does have a following among bird watchers. A common question, especially outside the birding community, is where do Blue Jays like to nest?
It’s an interesting question, as I’ve observed Blue Jays building nests in all sorts of different spaces, including within some manmade structures. Although I wouldn’t characterize myself as a Blue Jay fan, I am impressed with certain aspects of their species and their overall adaptability.
Let’s dive into looking at the Blue Jay’s nesting habits.
Preferred Nesting Locations
This species seems to prefer mixed woodlands and deciduous forests, with a fondness for oaks and various hardwoods. These areas provide not just shelter but also a rich food source, making them ideal nesting sites.
That being said, blue jays have adapted to nesting in urban settings, too. I’ve seen them nesting in residential backyards, city parks, sheds, barns, and even power poles.
Forest edges and clearings also attract them, as these spots offer a blend of cover and open space.
Nest Height and Placement
Although blue jays are known to construct nests anywhere from 5 to 50 feet above the ground, I’ve noticed that they often choose heights between 10 and 25 feet. They seem to prefer the lower to mid-canopy levels of trees and the crotch or thick outer branches of deciduous or coniferous trees.
If you’re a Blue Jay fan and want to offer a nesting box, you’ll need to ensure the box is in place at least a month before the breeding season begins. This species uses the nesting placement and nest-building process as part of its mating ritual. Having the nesting box in place at least a month before mating season offers the best odds of a blue jay pair evaluating it during this phase of mating.
One of the biggest challenges with nesting boxes is mounting them at a height that mimics the natural choices. This means mounting a box anywhere from 12 to 20 feet off the ground, which can be challenging.
Nesting Materials Used
Blue jays are resourceful when it comes to selecting nesting materials, often using a variety of natural items to create a sturdy and safe structure.
These birds will utilize a wide variety of materials for nest construction, including:
- Grass
- Leaves
- Twigs and small sticks
- Mud
- Moss
- Pine Needles
Researchers have also found that some Jays will use animal hair (discarded dog hair, sheep wool, and horse hair) in the nest building process, especially as part of the nest lining.
Nest Construction Process
In terms of the actual nest construction process, both male and female Blue Jays play distinct roles in creating their homes. The males gather materials, while the females take charge of building the nest.
The males are only tasked with gathering materials for the nest, which they bring to the nest for the female’s inspection. If she doesn’t like the material or doesn’t need it, she discards it.
As part of the courtship process, a pair of blue jays may begin building more than one nest, which may be abandoned before it is completed.
This species is known to appropriate the existing nests of other species as long as the nest is large enough, in a suitable location, and at a suitable height.
Nesting Season and Behavior
The nest building process typically runs from March to July, with peak egg-laying in early April in warmer regions and mid-May in colder areas.
A female blue jay lays 3-6 eggs, although she can lay as many as 10. She then incubates the eggs for 16-18 days. During this time, the male takes care of feeding the female and protecting the nest.
These birds are quite protective of their nests, aggressively defending against any threats. They are known to become aggressive with humans who venture too close to a nest.
Both parents work together to raise their young, continuing to teach them how to forage after they’ve fledged. Curiously, if their first brood fails, they may attempt a second, though that’s rare.