Winter is the season of the jay. Though birdsong is generally subdued, the harsh call of the blue jay rings through the neighbor-hood, announcing his intention to remain in charge. And while his plumage is attractive, especially against a background of snow, this avian general is despised by some backyard birders; chasing smaller birds from the feeder, he indulges himself at will, ingesting more than his share of sunflower seed.
Omnivorous and aggressive, blue jays feed on a variety of seeds, fruits, acorns and insects; they are also known to feast on the eggs and nestlings of other birds, hardly endearing them to the casual naturalist. And, despite their fierce independence, jays frequently cooperate to harass larger predators, noisily shrieking at hawks, owls or domestic cats until they leave their territory.
While we may not be fond of their personality and behavior, blue jays, like all native species of wildlife, play an important role in the natural ecosystem. Among other beneficial activity, these self-confident birds are known to bury acorns, joining a variety of squirrels in the propagation of our forests. After all, nature needs scoundrels as well!
