A raucous call and a bold flash of blue at your feeder means a jay has arrived. East of the Rockies, your visitor is quite likely a Blue Jay (left). Out west, you’re probably seeing a Steller's Jay.

These daring blue dandies sound the alarm, announcing the approach of a predator.

Often the loud call sends the predator packing. If not, a family of jays may gang up and mob the intruder.

And, if that doesn’t work, the jay may mimic the call of a Bald Eagle or Red-tailed Hawk—birds at the very top of the pecking order—to dissuade the invader.

Find out more at BirdNote.