Blue Jay

Could a cardinal and blue jay be friends?

Several times, I've seen a male cardinal and a blue jay (gender unknown) flitting from branch to branch together in the same part of my neighborhood. I'm wondering what the explanation could be for that. I'm guessing that just like dogs and cats have friends, perhaps birds do too. It occurred to me that these 2 birds could be mates, but I would think that unlikely. Or perhaps they're rivals and the interactions I've witnessed weren't friendly like they appeared?

Any idea for why these birds of different species appear to be hanging out together?

I can tell you that they definitely aren't mates, since they aren't of the same species. They would never be able to produce successful young.

It's possible that they are companions, but that's also unlikely. Blue jays are known to be quite agressive and dominate--indeed, they even eat other birds' eggs and chicks! Cardinals, on the other hand, are more passive and timid. At my bird feeders, they always wait until all the other birds have gotten their fill and have flown off--the blue jays will just dive right in and take over my feeders.

I'm guessing that they are more likely rivals, and are competing for territory. It could also simply be a coincidence.

Best of luck,
Phoenix

Find Blue Jay On eBay Below:

Recently Purchased Blue Jay:

---

8 vintage fire king stacking mugs bird series blue jay etc, 2 corelle blue velvet covered coffeesugarflourtea canisters jarsjay imports, vtg 4 fire king milk glass mugsd handleblue jaychickadeecardinaloriole, discontinued corelle jay imports blue hearts napkin or letter holder nice, vintage corelle jay imports blue hearts medium sugar canister amp; lid very nice, vintage corelle jay imports blue hearts small coffee canister amp; lid very nice, discontinued jay importscorelle blue hearts extra small tea canister very nice, corning corelle blue velvet 5 soup crock casserole bowl wlid jay imports, vintage cambridge glass bluejay blue jay bird flower frog, west virginia glass songbird pitcher gold finch blue jay gold trim, jay imports corelle blue hearts potpourri warmer with lid b, 4 anchor hocking song bird glasses cardinal blue jay oriole amp; chickadee exlt, 3 fire king cups chickadee amp; blue jay stackable , two vintage blue jay bird frosted pedestal glasses free shipping, jade jadeite jadite green glass salt amp; pepper shaker set w blue jay birds, corningcorelle jay import blue hearts coffee mugs, blue hearts jay imports 5 salt amp; pepper shaker set coordinates with corelle, corelle blue hearts tea canister corelle coodinates jay import, set of 2 jay imports corelle blue hearts canisters 5 34 4 12, vintage 80oz west virginia songbird glass pitcher goldfinch amp; blue jay rare , corelle coordinates jay imports blue hearts stoneware crock pot casserole w lid, adventures sammy jay thornton burgess pairpoint cup plate glass copper blue bird, corelle design ceramic blue heart napkin holder by jay imports, jay imports kitchen canisters blue fleur de lis set of 2 rubber seals, corelle blue hearts serving bowl heart shaped blue spongeware jay import, melissa ayotte signed lampwork paperweight with blue jay on blossom, corelle blue hearts salt and pepper shakers by jay imports 4 high 2 12 around, 6 vintage bird glass cups mugs arcoroc france cardinal blue jay oriole , white milk glass anchor hocking fire king mug chickadee amp; blue jay bird stackin , set of 4 vintage drinking glasses blue jaybaltimore oriolecardinal and chicka, bird bath feeder bluejay yellow plate candy jewelry cookie led home decor garden, sammy jay thornton burgess pairpoint cup plate opaque opal blue press glass bird, jay import 5 cup teapot tea pot blue flowers, 10 tall murano venetian pair blue jay bird art glass sculpture figurine figure, vintage corelle jay imports blue velvet extra small tea canister , fun set of ah bird glass tumblers qty 8 cardinal blue jay oriole chickadee, set of 3 vintage corellejay import blue hearts stoneware nesting bowls nice, fenton cobalt royal blue the little blue jay hand painted bird figurine flower, corelle by jay imports blue velvet pattern creamer exc, corelle blue hearts spoon rest salt amp; peppernapkin holder by jay stoneware , two country blue heart coffee cupmug jay made in taiwan, imperial caramel brown slag glass scolding bird or blue jay figurine, vtg winslow anderson 1950s turquoise hand carved blue jay on tree by blenko 991, pickard golden melody blue jay glass serving tray 10x5 mint, huge magnum rick ayotte pair blue jay birds poinsettia glass paperweight, cobalt blue tea lightcandle pressed design blue jays bird , corelle blue hearts set of sugar amp; creamer jay import, corelle blue heart set of 4 individual casseroles jay import co, bird glasses arcoroc france set of 3 oriole cardinal woodpecker blue jay, corning corelle jay imports blue hearts ceramic triple spoon rest holder ex, corelle blue hearts corning spongewear heart napkin letter holder by jay, mosser glass christmas snowman blue jay ruby red carnival base fairy light lamp, west virginia glass specialty american songbirds water pitcher bluejay goldfinch, anchor hocking white w blue jay amp; baltimore oriole bird coffee cup mug d handle, lalique cristal plate 1973 blue jay bird crystal paris france, westmoreland blue jay bird crystal mist 4 12 mini vase, 2 viintage fire king pheasant and blue jay coffee mugs, corelle corning blue hearts pattern salt and pepper shakers by jay imports sp125, set of 2 vintage fire king stackable blue jay coffee mugs, excelent vintage federal glass mug blue jay on white, corelle blue hearts metal tea kettle made by jay imports, amia for the birds painted glass vase votive holder 35x35x6 blue jay cardinal, vtg dome shaped blue jay cardinal on tree branch paperweight bird figurine, vtg anchor hocking fire king milk glass coffee cup mug bird chickadee , corelle blue heart jay import co tea canister 45, vintage bird glasses cardinal redheaded woodpecker bluejay baltimore oriole, vintage fire king anchor hocking stacking milk glass mug cardinal , 95 t w virginia glass pitcher cardinal amp; blue jay songbird rare style ec, fenton art glass crystal bluejay cardinal bird, fenton art glass pale blue bluejay bird, fenton art glass cobalt blue bluejay bird, 4 stained glass bird highball tumbler blue jay oriole blackbird cardinal vintage, bird vintage coffee glasses blue jay woodpecker baltimore oriole cardinal 35, vintage fireking chickadee blue jay bird white milk glass stackable coffee mug, cardinal blue jay song birds coffee mug cup anchor hocking fire king usa, fire king anchor hocking bird coffee milk glass mug cup blue jay cardinal vtg, corelle blue hearts jay stoneware set of 7 cups mugs, corelle blue hearts creamer by jay import co, 2 vintage fire king mug black duck blue jay baltimore oriole stacking mugs, magnificent rick ayotte tree branch with blue jay bird art glass paperweight, corelle blue heart jay import co coffee canister 575, summer blush canister 5 12 h jay import stoneware corelle green yellow blue , corning corelle coordinates by jay imports small blue hearts canister with lid, euc jay import corelle coordinates blue sponge hearts napkin holder, michael dorofee art glass 1978 clear hand blown cardinal or blue jay candle euc, west virginia glass american songbirds pitcher cardinal blue jay, 2 vtg anchor hocking milk glass bird mugs blue jay chickadee baltimore oriole, jay imports blue hearts saltpepperspoon rest set excellent preowned condition, glamorous rick ayotte blue jay bird and pink flowers art glass paperweight, set of 4 anchor hocking etched blue jay coffee mugs cups bird clear glass, corelle jay imports blue hearts stoneware 8 pc canister set , corelle jay imports blue hearts stoneware 11 pie plate wlid , 4 vintage anchor hocking fire king coffee cups blue jaycardinal chickadee, new glassmasters blue jays bird art stained glass panel new in box, corelle jay import blue velvet ceramic teapot, eapg pressed glass antique spooner amp; pedestal mini pitcher cardinal or blue jay, bird painted glass panel bluejay c076