Blue Jays – Nature’s Nags

Spring appears to have found its way to our part of California. The weather is warm and sunny, with the thermometer climbing just a bit more each day. I have turned off the furnace, and I leave the patio door open to enjoy the fresh air. When it gets too warm, I open a window on the north side of the house to create a cross breeze.

My cat, Sir Isaac Newton, commonly referred to as Red, takes advantage of the opportunity to wander in and out of the house as he pleases. His little bit of paradise (our back yard), however, has been invaded by a blue jay, actually two blue jays. But only one is an unconscionable heckler. She (I assume the female of the species) takes great pleasure in squawking harshly every time Red comes into the yard. If given the opportunity she dives on him. I have put his outside water dish under a table so that he can drink without putting one of his nine lives at risk.

But Red is not the only one disturbed by her appearance. I watch and hear the squirrels scolding the jay as her presence threatens their access to our trees. This morning, while Mrs. Jay was heckling Red, Mr. Jay was diving on a squirrel taking shelter on a power pole. The reason I know he is the “mister” is because he stirs himself infrequently. He leaves the bulk of the work to her.

I understand the instinctive behavior of protecting the nest. I have seen the two birds attack a crow that has dared to invade our back yard air space. Now crows really are raiders, and wouldn’t think twice (do crows think?) about destroying a nest and poking holes in the eggs. I have seen them do as much to a dove’s nest. So my suggestion to Mr. and Mrs. Jay is to concentrate their protective instincts against crows and not my poor cat who is too lazy to think about climbing a tree or attacking a nest. Who, when the heckling gets too bothersome, comes into my office and naps in his basket.

Live long and prosper!