What do blue jays eat?
Blue jays are omnivorous birds that eat a wide variety of foods. Their diet typically consists of:
- Seeds and nuts – Blue jays enjoy peanuts, sunflower seeds, acorns, hazelnuts, pistachios, almonds, and pine nuts.
- Fruit – Berries, apples, cherries, oranges, and grapes are favored by blue jays.
- Insects – Caterpillars, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, spiders, and snails provide protein.
- Eggs and nestlings – Blue jays may raid other birds’ nests for eggs and young hatchlings.
- Small animals – Frogs, mice, bats, and other small vertebrates are sometimes eaten.
- Grains – Corn, oats, wheat, and other grains are readily consumed.
- Scat – Blue jays have been known to peck through animal droppings for undigested seeds.
Offering a variety of foods like nuts, seeds, fruits, and even small amounts of meat and eggs can help attract blue jays to your backyard feeder. They have strong bills adept at cracking into nuts and seeds.
What are the best types of feeders for blue jays?
When selecting a bird feeder for blue jays, consider the following types:
Hopper or Platform Feeders
Hopper or platform feeders have large, open surfaces that can accommodate various foods like peanuts, sunflower seeds, mixed nuts, and fruit. The open platform allows blue jays to easily pick and choose items. These feeders also tend to have a larger capacity, requiring less frequent refilling.
Tube Feeders
Tube feeders dispense small seeds, nuts, and berries through tubes. Look for tube feeders with large ports wide enough for chunky blue jay beaks. Make sure to stock the feeder with big seeds or nuts rather than mixed birdseed blends.
Suet Feeders
Suet feeders offer high-fat suet cakes or suet plugs to mimic natural food sources like insect larvae and eggs. Go for sturdy metal suet cages with wider openings and tail props to accommodate jays.
Specialty and Tray Feeders
Specialized blue jay feeders feature trays and platforms designed for peanuts in the shell. The birds cling to the feeder with their feet to crack open nuts. Open trays allow easy access to various nuts and fruits.
Feeder Features Blue Jays Appreciate
Here are some useful feeder features to look for when feeding blue jays:
- Large, sturdy perches – Blue jays are relatively big birds, so they need proportionate perching space.
- Roof covers – A roof helps keep seeds dry and prevents smaller birds from perching above.
- Squirrel guards/baffles – Deter squirrels from stealing all the nuts and fruit.
- Water resistance – Look for durable feeders made of chew-proof, water-resistant materials.
- Easy to refill and clean – Feeders with large capacity and removable parts for quick filling and cleaning.
- Tail props – Suet feeders should have horizontal rods for jays to brace their tails on for extra balance.
Prioritizing blue jay friendly features will help attract more of these colorful backyard birds.
Ideal Placement Tips for Blue Jay Feeders
Proper feeder placement is also key to attracting blue jays:
- Set up feeders near trees – Jays feel more secure with branches overhead to retreat to.
- Elevate feeders – Platform feeders on poles or hung high help deter cats and raise visibility.
- Avoid windows – Position feeders at least 3 feet from windows to prevent collisions.
- Use multiple feeders – Offer different feeder styles in separated spots to minimize competition.
- Add water – A birdbath or water feature provides drinking and bathing water.
- Offer cover – Nearby shrubs and brush piles give jays places to hide and take shelter.
Finding the right height, distance, and surroundings that feel safe and comfortable will encourage blue jays to frequent your yard.
5 Top-Rated Blue Jay Feeders
Based on features, design, ease of use and positive reviews, here are 5 of the best feeders for attracting blue jays:
Feeder | Details |
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Perky-Pet Hopper Bird Feeder |
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Squirrel Buster Standard Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder |
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Songbird Essentials Fruit & Nut Tray Feeder |
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Aspects 409 Jaya Tail Prop Suet Feeder |
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Woodlink Going Nuts for Peanuts Feeder |
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These feeders offer the right mix of benefits to satisfy blue jays and birders alike. Try incorporating one or more into your feeding setup.
Tips for Feeding Blue Jays
Follow these handy tips to get the most out of feeding blue jays in your yard:
- Stock up on nuts – Buy bulk bags of peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts and other nuts jays love.
- Think big – Use large, heavy seeds and nuts that won’t blow away in windy weather.
- Avoid cheap mixes – Low quality seed is full of filler seeds jays won’t eat.
- Cut fruit – Slice apples, oranges, grapes, and berries into manageable pieces.
- Always have suet – Keep suet feeders freshly stocked with cakes or plugs.
- Clean often – Routinely clean feeders to prevent mold and bacterial growth.
- Deter squirrels – Use guards and place feeders in open areas away from trees.
- Be patient – It may take jays a few weeks to discover and feel comfortable with new feeders.
- Go natural – Incorporate fruit bearing trees and shrubs that attract jays naturally.
Following these tips will create an enticing buffet for blue jays in your yard.
Conclusion
With their brilliant blue plumage and clever nature, blue jays are a prize sight at backyard feeders. Offer a range of foods across hopper, tube, suet, and specialty feeders to appease these unique birds. Platform feeders packed with peanuts, nuts, and fruit make a great all-you-can-eat station. Proper placement, regular cleaning, and high-quality foods will keep jays returning. By catering to the diverse tastes of blue jays, you can enjoy watching their antics and interactions up close. With the right feeder and foods, you’ll quickly have blue jays gobbling up goodies in your own backyard.