How to Draw a Blue Jay (Easy Step by Step)
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A blue jay is a fun bird to draw because it is built from simple shapes: circles, ovals and pointy leaf shapes. You start with a round head and a spiky crest, then add a round body, a little beak, a wing and a long tail. By the end you have a proud bird standing on its branch.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 10 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawing
In this article (7 sections)
How to draw a blue jay step by step
How to Draw a Blue Jay · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch these 2 ovals. They only show where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase them at the end.
Step 2: Head and crest
Draw a big circle for the head. On top, add a pointy crest with two peaks, one taller peak on the left and one pointing out to the right, like a little crown of feathers.
Step 3: The round body
Draw a large round shape below the head for the body. Start the line under the head on the left, go all the way around the bottom, and finish on the right side so the head overlaps the top of the body.
Step 4: The beak
On the left side of the head, draw a small triangle pointing out to the left. Connect its two back corners to the edge of the head.
Step 5: The eyes
Add two small round dots on the head, side by side, above the beak. Fill them in so they look dark and shiny.
Step 6: The collar line
Draw a gentle curve like a smile just under the head to show the band around a blue jay's neck. Start at the left side of the body and curve down and across toward the right.
Step 7: The wing
On the right side of the body, draw a rounded oval shape for the folded wing. Let its right edge touch the edge of the body.
Step 8: Wing feathers
Inside the wing, draw two short curved lines that follow its shape. Add a little curve along the bottom right edge of the wing to finish it.
Step 9: The long tail
From the back of the body, draw a long leaf shape that points out to the right. Make it wide in the middle and pointy at the tip.
Step 10: Legs and branch
Draw two short straight lines going down from the bottom of the body. Finish with a long, nearly flat line across the bottom for the branch your jay stands on.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your blue jay? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a woodpecker or how to draw a sparrow next.
Tips for drawing a blue jay
- Draw the head circle first and keep the crest light. Make one taller peak on the left and a pointy peak on the right, with a small dip between them.
- Let the head overlap the body. Draw the body so the head sits in front of its top edge, and the bird will look rounder and more real.
- Make the tail one long, smooth curve on top and another underneath. Both curves should meet in a point at the tip.
Free blue jay coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this blue jay coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your blue jay drawing
Color the head, wing, and tail bright blue, and leave the belly white or light gray. Use black or dark blue for the collar band and the feather stripes on the wing. For a creative twist, try a rainbow jay with a different color on each stripe.
Blue jay fun fact for kids
Blue jays can copy the calls of hawks. Blue jays also bury acorns, and some of those acorns grow into new oak trees.
Questions about drawing a blue jay
What shapes do I need to draw a blue jay?
You need a circle for the head, a large round shape for the body, a small triangle for the beak, an oval for the wing and a leaf shape for the tail. The crest is a pointy shape with two peaks.
How do I make my blue jay look cuter?
Make the head extra round and keep the beak small. Two dark dots for eyes and a plump body also make the bird look sweet and cuddly.
How do I draw the crest on a blue jay?
Draw it on top of the head circle as a pointy shape with two peaks. Make the left peak taller, let the right peak point out, and add a small dip between them.
