Associations Between Impervious Surface Cover and Blue Jay Observations in New York City from 2010 to 2020

Group Members: Arrianne Bautista, Hana Chen, Jisu Park, and Morgan Magee

We explore the effect that impervious surface cover can have on blue jay populations in New York City. We found that the predominance of blue jays in lower impervious surface areas corresponds with their omnivorous diet and preference to nest in trees. Increased blue jay sightings in higher impervious surface areas suggest they are adapting to urban environments, possibly due to programs and studies that make cities more hospitable by adding greenery/tree cover. The presence of blue jays in higher impervious surface areas during colder months may result from increased temperature due to the “urban heat island” effect, allowing them to maintain an optimal metabolic rate with the lowest oxygen consumption possible at 30-40℃.