Bluebirds and Blue Jaybirds have similar shades of blue plumages. By looking at a flying bird, it becomes a little difficult to differentiate between them.
However, if you take a closer look at these birds, you can easily make a difference. It is so because these two birds have major dissimilarities that make it an easy task.
There are variations between their songs. But if you don’t know about the same, then this article is for you. In this article, I’ve mentioned the difference between these two birds.
Bluebird VS BlueJay Comparison
Bluebirds and Blue Jaybirds can be found in North America. But the behavior and singing patterns of these birds are different.
The bluebird species often migrate and can be attracted by bird feeders in every season. These birds have insectivorous diets.
On the other hand, Blue Jay birds have been considered intelligent birds having amusing behavior. They work out to know the best food sources and protect their food from invaders.
| Basis | Bluebird | Blue Jay |
| Size | 6.5-8 inches | 9.8-11.8 inches |
| Wing | Long, wide | Long, wide |
| Tail Shape | Short, narrow | Long, wide |
| Flight | 17 miles per hour | 20-25 miles per hour |
| Color | Bright blue head, wings, back, and tail with a rusty red chin, throat, flanks, and chest | Bluish purple head, white face, throat, and chin, black necklace, bright blue wings & tails |
| Flocks | 6-100 | 5-250 |
| Behavior | Followers, conservative | Attackers, aggressive, intelligent and rob feeders |
| Lifespan | 6-10 years | 6-8 years |
| Habitat | South-western Central and Northern United States | Western North America |
| Songs and Voice | Low-pitched warbling song of several notes | Whispering tone, chucks, clicks, whines, whirrs, liquid notes |
Bluebird VS Blue Jay: Size and Shape
Bluebird: The standard height of bluebirds ranges between 6.5 to 8 inches. While the weight of these birds ranges between 1 and 1.1 ounces.
The shape of their body is similar to that of a parakeet. They have a sleek chest and a plump look on their stomach. The beaks of these birds are straight and short while they have round heads. Bluebirds have short tails and legs.
Blue Jays: The standard height of the blue jays is around 11 inches and weighs around 2.5 to 4 ounces. The wingspan of these birds is around 16 inches.
They have thick and stout beaks that they usually use for drilling. When it comes to their body shape, they have a thick neck and broad chest.
You can tell the difference between these two birds by looking at their feet. Blue Jays have longer tails and feet than bluebirds.
Blue Jays are slightly taller and heavier than the bluebirds. Even they have thicker beaks than the bluebirds.
Bluebird VS BlueJay: Color Patterns and Variations
Bluebirds generally have rich blue backs and plumage having pale or rusty underparts. They have small brown patches on their chest and small brown stripes on their tails.
They have black beaks and brown along its mouth. You can distinguish between male and female bluebirds.
Eastern male bluebirds have a bright blue head, back, wings, and tail with a rusty red chest, flanks, throat, and chin.
When comes to blue jaybirds, have feather patterns of blue with black stripes. The Western Blue Jay has a dark blue and black plumage and head crest.
While the Texas Green Jays have black and blue heads. They do not have a distinct crest, greenbacks, and green & yellow tails.
Bluebird VS Blue Jay: Behavior
Bluebirds generally stay alone but they are found in pairs or small family groups during the end of the breeding season.
The young bluebirds usually look to their parents for guidance when they start to mature.
During the late summer to early fall period, bluebirds usually flock up to 30 or more. The eastern bluebirds often perch on low shrubs or low trees to look for their prey like insects.
When it comes to blue jay birds, they usually stay in pairs or family flocks. These birds stay protective of their nests. You can identify when these birds are going to attack.
When these birds raise their head crests very prominently then it is a clear indication that blue jays are going to attack. These birds hide the food for later feeding, which includes nuts and seeds.
You can make a difference between these two birds as blue jay birds are more bully birds as compared to bluebirds.
Blue jay birds can easily rob their favorite feeders. While the bluebirds forage more on the ground for seeds and insects.
Bluebird VS Blue Jay: Habitat
The habitat of the eastern bluebirds is open fields and sparse woodland areas. They can also be found in suburban areas and you will find them near open trails or golf courses.
On the other hand, the mountain bluebirds can be found at an elevation of greater than 7000 feet during the summer months. The common habitat of these birds is Western North America and especially Alaska.
Blue Jays have a habitat in the areas of Eastern and Central United States and southern Canada. These birds can easily adapt to different environments and are found in various types of forests.
You can also find these birds in parks, cities, and suburban areas having mature trees. The habitat of these birds also lies in lower mountain elevations throughout western North America.
Bluebird VS Blue Jay: Sounds and Songs
The eastern bluebirds can sing a low-pitched and warbling song that has several phases and features 1 to 3 short notes.
You can hear their whistles which shows their harsher chattering notes. The entire song of these birds lasts for just 2 seconds.
A male bluebird generally sings in a high perch as they attempt to attract a mate. However, the female bluebird sings when they encounter a predator in their territory.
The vocalization of the blue jay bird’s song includes liquid notes, whines, whirrs, a quiet conglomeration of clicks, and a whispering tone.
The songs of these birds tend to last around 2 minutes. These birds make a large variety of calls and often make loud jeers.
You can make a comparison between these two birds as bluebirds are conservative in delivery while the blue jays are aggressive and loud.
Blue Jays hammer their beaks loudly on perches when they got caught in a trap. This behavior can also be seen when their eggs are taken from their nests. However, bluebirds do not have such behavior.
How To Identify Blue Jays and Bluebirds in Field?
Bluebirds build their nest using pine needles, small twigs, grass, and other similar nesting materials. Eastern bluebirds can raise 2 to 3 broods annually.
They have 2 to 8 light blue or white eggs per brood. The incubation periods of these birds are 12 to 16 days.
These eastern bluebirds can make build their nesting boxes in their homes and it is often found in open areas.
Generally, these birds even use their nesting boxes during the winter season for shelter. They get attracted by mealworms and suet food.
On the other blue jay’s nest in branch forks that are usually 5 to 20 feet above the ground. They build the nest with the help of materials like bark, moss, grass, paper, string, and sticks.
The incubation period of these birds lasts between 16 to 18 days and they usually lay 3 to 7 pale green-blue and darkly spotted eggs. These birds are attracted to corn, bread crumbs, peanuts sunflower seeds, and suet.
Conclusion
Making a difference between these two birds is important when you want to feed a specific bird. It becomes important to understand the likings, and behavior of these birds.
Therefore, with this article, we have mentioned all the essential points that can help you to make a difference between the blue jays and bluebirds.
Thank You For Reading!
Related Articles You May Like