Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata

Growing up in Pennsylvania, the Blue Jay was a familiar backyard bird.  It is less so in the west.  However, the Blue Jay is expanding its range.  Sightings in recent years in Utah have increased.  Jim and Cindy Summerhill have three jay species visiting there Willard feeder now:  Western Scrub Jay, Steller’s Jay and a Blue Jay. 

The Blue Jay’s summer range extends southward from Canada through the eastern US onto the Gulf Coast and central Texas.  The expansion is a westward movement out of Canada into parts of the Inter-mountain West onto Washington. 
The winter migration of Blue Jays is still very mysterious.  They can be observed throughout their range in winter, although many young birds and some adults migrate.  The migration pattern can be south one winter; stay put the next and south again the following winter.  The triggers for these migratory movements are not yet understood.
Blue Jay habitat is wooded, deciduous, coniferous mixed forests and edges of these habitats.  They have adapted to urban/suburban backyards and parks from the forest.  Blue Jays are vocal birds who warn other birds when a predator, such as a cat, hawk or owl is present. 
They are omnivorous but a large portion of their daily intake is acorns, seeds from pine cones, corn, fruit and berries.  They are opportunistic and will take eggs or nestlings.  Carrion, insects, mice, meadow voles and other small mammals, small snakes, frogs and small amphibians are included in a varied diet.  Blue Jay’s harvest and caches thousands of acorns and other nuts.
Large songbirds at 10-12 inches, Blue Jays are very bright, flashy and vocal birds making a large variety of calls.  Most frequent call is a harsh "jeer."
They have a crest that can be raised or lowered.  The face and throat bib is a grayish white with the neck adorned by a black necklace.  The blue wings show a white wing bar.  It has gray white underparts and a blue back.  Both sexes are similar in plumage characteristics.

have you noticed a decrease of blue jays in your area sence west nile?
here in Pine bluff I have not seen one this year snd hsve been wondering if others have seen any decrease in siteing, Betty