Blue jays are found throughout the Southern and Central United States and make their homes in forest edges, towns, cities, wooded lots and parks. Easily recognized by their bright blue plumage with white and black markings, blue jays build their nests from grass, sticks, moss and lichens and prefer to nest in pines.
Blue jays are attracted to oak trees, so they are easy to find wherever oak trees grow, including yards. The acorn that grows on the oak tree is a favorite food of the blue jay. Blue jays are a migratory species that head south in the winter, although they are found year round in some states, including Virginia.
