The Blue Jay or Cyanocitta cristata is one of the largest birds that visits my backyard.

The Blue Jay has a wingspan of around 16 inches and a body length of around 11 inches. They are quite loud at times and will mimic other birds, particularly the local Red Shouldered Hawk’s. I have watched a Blue Jay make Hawk calls and scare every little bird away and then swoop in and feast on the hanging feeders. They are very intelligent!

They are also great at scaring away predators such as cats, snakes and birds of prey. On several occasions, I have witnessed them do this. Each time was very similar. I would suddenly hear quite a loud ruckus coming from outside, Of course I would have to investigate! Upon going outside I find a hawk perched at the top of a tree with 4-5 Blue Jays surrounding him and squawking loudly. Some were even brave enough to dive bomb the much larger hawk. The Blue Jays continue this until the Hawk leaves. On another occasion, I was attracted to a small area of woods close to my house. The Blue Jays once again were very loudly crying in tree tops, this time they had a rather large Owl cornered and they kept harassing him until he left.

This Blue Jay stopped in for a quick drink and a dip in my birdbath!

Mourning Doves or zenaida macroura are very common in Florida. They can be found perched high on power lines.

I always see them as they are foraging for seeds on the ground in my backyard. They will be in small groups of 4-5 picking up all of the dropped seeds from my hanging bird feeders. They are very easy to startle and their wings make a very unique whistling type sound as they fly away. I accidentally startled some of these doves not knowing they were there and when they flew away the whistling sound from their wings made me jump!

Their call is quite often mistaken for that of an owl and it sounds very similar just not quite as loud. It is an easy bird call to learn to mimic using your hands. I have called to them many times using this method and they answer right back.

Pigeons and doves drink by sucking up water instead of lifting their heads to swallow like other birds.

The Mourning Dove is considered a Game Species by 31 states in the US and around 30 million are harvested legally each year.

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