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

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