Recommended camera settings#
Focal length needed to frame it#
For a subject about 45 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.
| Distance | ⅓ of frame (FF) | ½ of frame (FF) | ⅓ of frame (APS-C) | ⅓ of frame (MFT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 m (16 ft) | 129 mm | 192 mm | 86 mm | 64 mm |
| 10 m (33 ft) | 257 mm | 385 mm | 171 mm | 129 mm |
| 15 m (49 ft) | 386 mm | 577 mm | 257 mm | 193 mm |
| 20 m (66 ft) | 514 mm | 769 mm | 343 mm | 257 mm |
| 30 m (98 ft) | 772 mm | 1,154 mm | 514 mm | 386 mm |
| 50 m (164 ft) | 1,286 mm | 1,923 mm | 857 mm | 643 mm |
About the Green Jay#
The green jay (Cyanocorax yncas) is a bird species of the New World jays, and is found in both North and South America. Adults are about 27 cm (11 in) long and variable in colour across their range; they usually have blue and black heads, green wings and mantle, bluish-green tails, black bills, yellow or brown eye rings, and dark legs. The basic diet consists of arthropods, vertebrates, seeds, and fruit.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Field-craft tips#
- Very intelligent and wary — use a vehicle as a hide.
- Black plumage needs +0.3 to +0.7 EV to show feather detail.
- Bird-eye AF with continuous focus (AF-C/AI Servo); fill at least a third of the frame.
- Sightings peak in January, February, March, April, November and December, which is when you'll have the most chances.
Ethics#
- The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
- Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
- Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
- Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.
More Crows, Jays, and Magpies#
Frequently asked questions#
What lens do I need to photograph a Green Jay?
At about 45 cm long, a green jay fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 257 mm, or at 20 m with 514 mm.
What shutter speed should I use for a Green Jay?
1/800 s when it's still; 1/2500–1/3200 s for action.
When is the best time to photograph a Green Jay?
Observations in North America peak in January, February, March, April, November and December. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.
Sources & licences#
- iNaturalist — Observation data CC BY-NC; photo licence as credited
- Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources