Most people think birds are just birds, but there are different bird species, even if there are a lot of similarities.
Among the species that people mistake for each other are the Bluebirds and Blue Jaybirds.
I have discussed the difference between these birds- Bluebird vs. Blue Jay- for easy identification.
Behavior: Bluebird vs Blue Jay
Bluebirds are small-sized birds, but they are not afraid of giant birds. Despite their courage, they are easy prey for bigger, more aggressive birds.
On the other hand, bluejays are famous for being hostile toward humans and other birds.
Blue jays attack them if they move close to their nests. They also rob other nests for eggs and chicks, and birds get scared and flee from their nests. But blue jays are easy for birds to prey on because they are slow to fly.
Sounds
The Blue jay bird belongs to the Corvidae family, so it’s normal for them to have diverse vocalizations.
The sounds include clicks, whirrs, and chucks, lasting only 2 minutes. These birds can mimic other birds perfectly.
They also display a confrontational ability when bigger birds or other animals threaten them.
However, Bluebirds make quiet sounds. Most times, it’s a low-pitched warbling, and it only lasts for a few seconds.
Also, they sing songs to female birds to gain attention or when they notice a predator nearby. But during the breeding season, they make much more quiet sounds.
Color
Bluebirds and Blue jays both have blue colors on their bodies. The male mountain bluebird has a bright blue color all over, while the female is predominantly gray with a gray-blue blue on her wings and tail.
The male Eastern bluebird has sapphire blue wings, a back, a head, and a rust-red breast. Females have a gray head, blue streaks on their tail and wings, and a more orange-than-rust breast.
On the other hand, the blue jay has a white face and blue on its wings, tail, back, and crest, as well as a black collar that runs up the sides of its head. The wings have black, blue, and white bands.
The underbelly of the blue jay bird is off-white. Males and females have the same coloring as bluebirds, but males are slightly larger.
Habitat: Bluebird vs Blue Jay
Bluebirds prefer to be in open fields and areas with few trees. We can also find them around urban trails and golf courses.
However, blue jays live in forests with tall trees. They are also very adaptable and can live in cities as long as there are a lot of mature trees.
Reproduction
Blue Jays enjoy staying with their pairs because they are monogamous. Also, they mate with their species for at least one breeding season. However, they can still mate with other species.
Older bluebirds, on the other hand, assist in rearing hatchlings from the new broods.
Shape and Size
Bluebirds are typically between 6.5 and 8 inches tall, with a 1 to 1.1 ounces weight range.
A bluebird’s physique is like that of a parakeet, with a soft breast that contrasts with the plump appearance of its stomach. Bluebirds have large, rounded heads but short tails and legs.
Their beaks are short and straight, with no thickness to make them stand out.
The average height of a blue jay is 11 inches, and its weight ranges from 2.5 to 4 ounces. They have a 16-inch wingspan.
Blue jays have thick, robust beaks utilized for drilling by both males and females. A blue jay’s physique contains notable features: a wide neck and a broad, protruding chest.