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The blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to eastern North America. It lives in most of the eastern and central United States; some eastern populations may be migratory. Resident populations are also in Newfoundland, Canada; breeding populations are found across southern Canada. It breeds in both deciduous and coniferous forests, and is common in residential areas. Its coloration is predominantly blue, with a white chest and underparts, and a blue crest; it has a black, U-shaped collar around its neck and a black border behind the crest. Males and females are similar in size and plumage, and plumage does not vary throughout the year. Four subspecies have been recognized.
The blue jay feeds mainly on seeds and nuts, such as acorns, which it may hide to eat later; soft fruits; arthropods; and occasionally small vertebrates. It typically gleans food from trees, shrubs, and the ground, and sometimes hawks insects from the air. Blue jays can be very aggressive to other birds; they sometimes raid nests and have even been found to have decapitated other birds.
It builds an open cup nest in the branches of a tree; both sexes participate. The clutch may be two to seven eggs, which are blueish or light brown with darker brown spots. Young are altricial, and are brooded by the female for 8–12 days after hatching. They may stay with their parents for one to two months.
The name jay derives from the bird's noisy, garrulous nature and has been applied to other birds of the same family, which are also mostly gregarious. Jays are also called jaybirds.
The blue jay measures 9–12 in. from bill to tail and weighs 2.5–3.5 oz, with a wingspan of 13–17 in. Consistent with Bergmann's rule, jays from Connecticut averaged 3.26 oz. in mass, while jays from warmer southern Florida averaged 2.60 oz. There is a pronounced crest on the head, a crown of feathers, which may be raised or lowered according to the bird's mood. When excited or aggressive, the crest will be fully raised. When frightened, the crest bristles outwards, brush like. When the bird is feeding among other jays or resting, the crest is flattened on the head.
Its plumage is lavender-blue to mid-blue in the crest, back, wings, and tail, and its face is white. The underside is off-white and the neck is collared with black which extends to the sides of the head. The wing primaries and tail are strongly barred with black, sky-blue, and white. The bill, legs, and eyes are all black. Males and females are almost identical, but the male is slightly larger. The black plumage on its nape, face, and throat varies extensively between individuals; it is believed to assist in recognition between individuals.
As with most other blue-hued birds, the blue jay's coloration is not derived from pigments but is the result of light interference due to the internal structure of the feathers; if a blue feather is crushed, the blue disappears because the structure is destroyed. The actual pigment in its feathers is melanin. This is referred to as structural coloration.
To read a lot more, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_jay
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 cup uncooked Arborio rice
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/3 cup white wine
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- In a saucepan, bring chicken broth to a simmer, but do not boil. Keep warm over low heat.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add mushrooms and onion and sauté 4 to 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in rice, garlic, and wine; cook until wine is absorbed. Add 1 cup hot broth, stirring constantly until liquid is nearly absorbed. Repeat process, adding remaining broth 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly until each portion of broth is absorbed before adding next portion (about 15 minutes total).
- Remove from heat. Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon butter, the Parmesan cheese, parsley, and pepper. Serve immediately.
1930 – The dwarf planet Pluto is officially named.
1931 – The Empire State Building is dedicated in New York City
1945 – World War II: Joseph Goebbels and his wife Magda commit suicide in the Reich Garden outside the Führerbunker. Their children are murdered by Magda by having cyanide pills inserted into their mouths.
HOW TO OBSERVE
- Dance! Either dance around a May Pole or just dance with someone near to you.
- Plant flowers. Make a point of planting wildflowers and you will attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Had another, and didn’t love her;
Peter learned to read and spell,
And then he loved her very well.
Had a wife and couldn’t keep her;
He put her in a pumpkin shell
