blue jay

noun

: a crested bright blue North American jay (Cyanocitta cristata)

Examples of blue jay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Three species—starlings, blue jays and gray catbirds—had emerged as the most adept vocal learners, according to a statement. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Sep. 2023 And while there’s no definitive research about blue jay intelligence, one study showed a captive blue jay trying to snag food that was out of reach with paper scraps that lined its cage. René A. Guzman, ExpressNews.com, 10 Nov. 2020 Who can forget his ongoing debate with himself and others about whether they’re called blue jays or scrub jays? Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2023 Daniel was able, however, to save the grackle and blue jay. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Mar. 2022 Maybe an owl ate a blue jay? Danielle Dreilinger, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2020 Northern cardinals and an occasional blue jay competed for best vocal delivery with wrens and Carolina chickadees. Sharon Grigsby, Dallas News, 7 Apr. 2023 In the ornithological community, blue jays are known for aggressive, bullying behavior and a proclivity to attack in mobs. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Mar. 2023 Eagles, Monarch butterflies, blue jays, and dragonflies also migrate along the shoreline in the spring and fall. Molly McArdle, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blue jay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1709, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blue jay was in 1709

Dictionary Entries Near blue jay

Cite this Entry

“Blue jay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blue%20jay. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

blue jay

noun
: a bright blue North American jay having a small bunch of feathers pointing upward and backward from the top of the head
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