Cyanocitta cristata, commonly known as the Blue Jay, is native to North America. Its range extends throughout the eastern and central United States, parts of southern Canada, and into northern Mexico. Specifically, it is found from the Rocky Mountains in the west to the Atlantic coast in the east, and from the Gulf of Mexico in the south to the northern reaches of Canada.

Blue Jays typically inhabit deciduous, mixed, and coniferous forests, though they are highly adaptable and can also be found in suburban and urban areas with suitable tree cover. They prefer areas with a variety of oak trees, as they frequently feed on acorns. The climate in their habitats ranges from temperate in the northern parts of their range to subtropical in the southern areas.

Blue Jays play an important ecological role as seed dispersers, particularly for oak trees, due to their habit of caching acorns. They are omnivorous and feed on nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects, which helps in controlling insect populations. Their adaptability to various environments allows them to occupy various ecological niches, thriving both in dense forests and human-altered landscapes.