The Blue Jay
The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), 2024
7.75” x 4.25” x 3.94”
Hand painted acrylic on recycled cigar box sealed with satin varnish
Blue jays mate during spring to early summer. Males often feed females as an act of courtship. Courtship can also occur in parties with many males chasing a single female or a few females. Blue Jays are believed to be monogamous, and mated pairs remain together for many years. Mated individuals will often nudge the other, pass twigs, and “kiss”. In nonmigratory populations mated pairs stay together all year long but begin nest building in mid-March. Both the male and female collect materials for their nest, which is commonly built at least a meter above the ground in a deciduous or coniferous tree. The males primarily do the material collecting and the females tend to incorporate it into the nest. The nest is made of an outer shell of strong fresh twigs that are often taken from live trees. Then it is lined with bits of bark, moss, lichen, and other plant debris. Sometimes nests are reused. The female incubates the 2-7 eggs in her clutch under her brood patch for 17-18 days. The male provides food to the brooding female as well as the offspring.
The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), 2024
7.75” x 4.25” x 3.94”
Hand painted acrylic on recycled cigar box sealed with satin varnish
Blue jays mate during spring to early summer. Males often feed females as an act of courtship. Courtship can also occur in parties with many males chasing a single female or a few females. Blue Jays are believed to be monogamous, and mated pairs remain together for many years. Mated individuals will often nudge the other, pass twigs, and “kiss”. In nonmigratory populations mated pairs stay together all year long but begin nest building in mid-March. Both the male and female collect materials for their nest, which is commonly built at least a meter above the ground in a deciduous or coniferous tree. The males primarily do the material collecting and the females tend to incorporate it into the nest. The nest is made of an outer shell of strong fresh twigs that are often taken from live trees. Then it is lined with bits of bark, moss, lichen, and other plant debris. Sometimes nests are reused. The female incubates the 2-7 eggs in her clutch under her brood patch for 17-18 days. The male provides food to the brooding female as well as the offspring.
The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), 2024
7.75” x 4.25” x 3.94”
Hand painted acrylic on recycled cigar box sealed with satin varnish
Blue jays mate during spring to early summer. Males often feed females as an act of courtship. Courtship can also occur in parties with many males chasing a single female or a few females. Blue Jays are believed to be monogamous, and mated pairs remain together for many years. Mated individuals will often nudge the other, pass twigs, and “kiss”. In nonmigratory populations mated pairs stay together all year long but begin nest building in mid-March. Both the male and female collect materials for their nest, which is commonly built at least a meter above the ground in a deciduous or coniferous tree. The males primarily do the material collecting and the females tend to incorporate it into the nest. The nest is made of an outer shell of strong fresh twigs that are often taken from live trees. Then it is lined with bits of bark, moss, lichen, and other plant debris. Sometimes nests are reused. The female incubates the 2-7 eggs in her clutch under her brood patch for 17-18 days. The male provides food to the brooding female as well as the offspring.