Owner Comments:
Our next modern dinosaur is one I see a lot in my own backyard and is one of my favorites. This is the Blue Jay, species name Cyanocitta cristata.
The Blue Jay ranges from 9-12 inches in length, with a wingspan range of 13-17 inches and a weight range of 2.6 to 3.2 ounces. As for the coloration, you can see that right on the coin. To me, the Blue Jay is one of the most beautiful dinosaurs in my ecosystem and it is always a joy to see one of these guys make an appearance. As with any theropod dinosaur with blue coloration, the coloration is structural and is a result of light refracting through the feathers rather than pigmentation. Geographically, Blue Jays range across the eastern and central United States and parts of southern Canada. There are four recognized subspecies of the Blue Jay which vary slightly in coloration and size. Blue Jays can live in a variety of habitats ranging from dense forests to many towns and cities as the Blue Jay is an expert at adapting to human settlements and exploiting the resources that humans provide for them both intentionally and unintentionally.
Blue Jays reproduce from mid-March into early July. Like many other theropod dinosaurs, Blue Jays mate for life. Blue Jay pairs are not picky about nesting sites and they will often use old nests made by other birds, lighting fixtures and large mailboxes. However, they prefer to build their nests in bushes or evergreen trees if they are available. Both parents work on building the nest. Blue Jay pairs produce between 3 and 6 eggs, which are incubated only by the female. The male feeds the female while she is incubating the eggs. After 16-18 days, the eggs hatch, producing altricial young, which are fed and cared for by both parents. The young fledge at between 17-21 days of age and stay with their parents through the fall, dispersing in the winter to find and establish their own territories. Blue Jays can live for up to 26 years, but an age of 16-17 years is more typical of wild Blue Jays.