Blue Jay
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Passeriformes, Family: Corvidae, Genus: Cyanocitta, Species: C. cristata · Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies) · Tail feather (Rectrix)
Species
Cyanocitta cristata
Feather Type
Tail feather (Rectrix)
Family
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
Shape
Slightly asymmetrical, elongated, with a rounded tip and a straight to slightly curved rachis.
Size
Approximately 5 to 6 inches (13-15 cm) in length; consistent with the central or outer rectrices of an adult Blue Jay.
Rarity
Very Common
Color & Pattern
Bright cerulean to royal blue base color with distinct, horizontal black bars (banding). The distal tip features a prominent white band. The color is structural (light scattering), not pigment-based.
Barb Structure
Pennaceous and tightly interlocked throughout most of the vane; plumulaceous (downy) at the very base near the calamus.
Texture & Surface
Smooth, stiff, and slightly glossy. The blue areas may appear to change intensity depending on the angle of light due to structural coloration.
Description
A striking feather from a medium-sized songbird known for its bold blue, white, and black plumage. Blue Jays are vocal, intelligent corvids with a prominent crest and complex social structures.
Key Features
Electric blue ground color, bold black transverse bars, and a crisp white terminal tip.
Habitat
Found in various habitats including deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests, as well as suburban parks and residential gardens with mature trees.
Geographic Range
Resident throughout the eastern and central United States and southern Canada; northern populations may migrate south during harsh winters.
Condition Notes
Good condition; the vane is largely intact with minimal fraying at the edges, suggesting it was recently molted or lost.
Interesting Facts
The blue in this feather isn't actually blue pigment; it is caused by light interference through the internal structure of the feathers. If you crush the feather, the blue color disappears.
Ecological Role
Blue Jays are significant seed dispersers, particularly of acorns. They act as 'sentinels,' alerting other birds to the presence of predators like hawks or owls.
Similar Species
Steller's Jay feathers are darker blue/black and lack the white tips. Florida Scrub-Jay feathers lack the black barring.