Blue jays are bold, intelligent members of the crow family, and that cleverness helps them live longer than many garden birds their size.
The average blue jay lifespan
Wild blue jays live around 7 years on average. As with all small birds, many young jays do not survive their first year, but their intelligence, boldness and varied diet help a good number reach a solid age.
Blue jays that live longest
Blue jays that beat the early odds can live 15 to 17 years, and the oldest recorded wild blue jay reached around 26 years. Being members of the highly intelligent corvid family — the same group as crows and ravens — likely helps them avoid danger and find food.
Helping blue jays thrive
Support blue jays with peanuts, sunflower seed and a reliable water source, along with trees and shrubs for shelter and nesting. Keeping cats indoors and making windows visible reduces two of the main hazards these bold birds face.