I think that jays, like crows and other corvids, have been more susceptible to the West Nile Virus.
There's been a noticeable decrease in our suburban neighborhood jays and crows over the past
couple years.

Our trio of neighborhood crows were quite adept at tearing open unprotected garbage bags to
look for food - I used to think it was neighborhood dogs or raccoons until I saw the crows in the
act one morning. While I don't miss the shredded trash bags, I do miss my conversations with
them, and watching their antics in our trees and at the feeder.

Mary LaMarca, Silver Spring,