what is a kansas jayhawk

The Kansas Jayhawk is a term that refers to the mascot of the University of Kansas sports teams. The term "Jayhawk" has its roots in the historic struggles of Kansas settlers during the Civil War era. It was originally used to describe United States Civil War guerrilla fighters, later applied generally to residents of Kansas. The name combines two birds: the blue jay, a noisy, quarrelsome bird known to rob other nests, and the sparrow hawk, a quiet, stealthy hunter. The message here is "Dont turn your back on this bird". The term "Jayhawk" became associated with the University of Kansas when the Kansas football team first took the field in 1890, and it seemed natural to call them Jayhawkers. The Jayhawk is now the official mascot of the University of Kansas, and the term is used to refer to the universitys sports teams.