BirdNote: Those Raucous Jays

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A raucous call and a bold flash of blue at your feeder means a jay has
arrived. East of the Rockies, your visitor is quite likely a Blue Jay (left). Out west, you’re probably seeing a Steller’s Jay.

These
daring blue dandies sound the alarm, announcing the approach of a
predator.

Often the loud call sends the predator packing. If not, a
family of jays may gang up and mob the intruder.

And, if that doesn’t
work, the jay may mimic the call of a Bald Eagle or Red-tailed
Hawk—birds at the very top of the pecking order—to dissuade the invader.

Find out more at BirdNote.

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