blue jay

American  

noun

1. a common, crested jay, Cyanocitta cristata, of eastern North America, having a bright blue back and a gray breast.

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blue jay British  

noun

1. a common North American jay, Cyanocitta cristata , having bright blue plumage with greyish-white underparts

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Etymology

Origin of blue jay

An Americanism dating back to 1700–10

Example Sentences

When he was about 6 years old, he’d visit his best friend’s family at a nearby property where he’d see them shooting blue jays for sport.

From Los Angeles Times

It is a backyard visited by darting sparrows and dignified blue jays lingering in the skeletal tree branches of spring.

From Salon

In 52 weekly entries, she sings the praises of clever crows and is heartened by the sight of blue jays and mockingbirds enjoying the heated birdbath she installed for them.

From Los Angeles Times

The UC study found that male spiders become motionless and "freeze" when a blue jay calls nearby.

From Science Daily

In downtown Perry, Iowa, on Friday, residents wore blue to support each other, reflecting the school district’s mascot, the blue jay.

From New York Times