“A bluejay has a one-hit kill, while a bluebird has the ultimate defense. This is a battle of two of the most immovable forces in the birding world.”
I wish this were true. It would be super cool to talk about these two birds like they were Pokémon.
However, that is not the case.
Here we will explore the differences between these two very similar small birds that complete our ecosystem.
They are so similar in size, stature, and habits that they could pass off as twin birds!
Want to know how to tell them apart? Keep reading to know more!
BlueJay vs Bluebird: Key Differences
When I first started birdwatching, bluejays were always bluebirds in my eyes.
Then, I discovered the following key differences:
Body Shape & Size
The key difference between bluebirds and blue jay is in their body shape and size.
It is this body shape and size that are also the reasons both birds are considered similar.
Now, here’s what you should know:
Bluebirds are maxed out at eight inches, while a blue jay is maxed out at 10 inches. A meager two inches is hard to detect unless you can measure things accurately with your sight.
Other defining features are the beak length, tail feather length, and breast feather color.
Blue jays have longer beaks and tail feathers, while bluebirds have orange breast feathers.
Behavior
There are two key differences in their behavior, which also stem from their families.
Blue jays are in the Corvidae family, a loud and aggressive family of birds which crows and magpies also belong to.
They do not attack or swoop randomly, but they can be pesky little things.
A blue jay size comparison with a bluebird – especially in beak size and length – kind of explains why one is gentler than the other.
Bluebirds are sexually dimorphic, and the females nest and rear chicks. Blue jays are a lot more equal.
Flight
Blue jays rarely migrate. They are endemic to the Eastern region of North America.
This means it’s easier to trace their flight patterns as they’ll be found in the same areas.
Blue jays don’t move fast when flying, which is another reason for their lack of a defined migratory pattern. When they do, they can take a whole day and move in flocks of five to 50.
Bluebirds, however, can move fast when marking home territories against other bluebirds. They fly close to the ground as they chase each other and tussle for the best nesting locations.
Diet
Another key difference between bluebirds and blue jay is in their diet.
“Omnivore” can be used to describe a bluebird or blue jay. The blue jay’s larger beak allows it to pick up insects, worms, and also nuts in addition to fruits. The bluebird, meanwhile, can only eat fruits and softer foods as well as smaller insects.
Both birds have also been seen feeding on larger prey like snakes, salamanders, lizards, and frogs, although this is a rare sight.
Bird lovers can feed a bluebird or bluejay with mealworms. They appreciate this food in their diets because it’s rare.
Location
As stated earlier, they (blue jays) are endemic to eastern North America.
Bluebirds can be found in the same areas but because they migrate more, one cannot exactly say their location. However, they are found in Canada, Mexico, Florida, and areas around the aforementioned American state.
Bluebirds can be eastern or western. Eastern bluebirds are usually found in mostly residential areas and prefer wide open spaces, meadows, and fields while western bluebirds can be found in rocky areas and areas with mountain ranges.
Blue jays, like other Corvidae birds, are found in residential areas; in the backyards of homes.
Nest & Eggs
Bluebirds nest in spaces that look like caves – an unused mailbox, the hole inside a broken tree branch, or a roof opening. They also regularly move their nests.
Blue jays, on the other hand, are tree nesters. Their nests are usually about 10 to 25 feet from the ground. They can fly great distances to get the materials (twigs, roots, etc.) they want for their nests despite being tree nesters.
Bluebirds and blue jays build their nests between February and April and begin laying eggs a week after the nest is completely built.
They lay between three to seven eggs in every cluster.
Final Thoughts
Many people enjoy feeding bluebirds. Blue jays, not so much.
However, both birds bring a certain beauty and color to an environment. They also help to cull the insect population that could turn out to become a menace.
Blue jays also have the added advantage of being hawk and falcon alarms. Their calls can be annoying, but when they make them, there’s almost always a hawk or a falcon circling nearby.
Remember to take care of the bluebird and blue jay population in your neighborhood and you will be glad you did!
