The woods around here commonly have eastern blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata) flying around in the winter and nesting in the summer. They are one of those birds that I hear more often than see, although I wouldn’t consider sightings rare. The interesting thing about listening for blue jays is that they can make a variety of sounds and noises. They aren’t quite as talented as the mockingbirds, but they come in a pretty close second. Most often they make a screech that sounds very similar to a red shouldered hawk call, but they can imitate a number of other birds, too. In the breeding season, though, they can be almost melodic with a series of sounds that is sometimes called a whisper song. It’s used to attract mates and to strengthen the pair bond. It is a much quieter series of sounds that are often performed in or near the nest in quiet moments. It may not necessarily be a blues ballad, but it’s definitely a love song.