Understanding Blue Jays
Blue Jays are intelligent, curious birds that can be found across much of North America. They are known for their blue plumage and loud, sometimes aggressive behavior. While Blue Jays may visit bird feeders, they tend to be wary of humans and are not easily tamed. However, with time, patience, and the right approach, it is possible to gain the trust of these beautiful birds.
Choose the Right Location
The first step in taming a Blue Jay is choosing the right location. Blue Jays prefer habitats with a mix of trees and open spaces, like parks, backyards, and forest edges. Locations near oak trees are ideal as acorns are a favorite food source. Avoid areas with heavy human traffic that could disturb the birds.
Identify any Blue Jays already frequenting the area and take note of their daily routines. Set up feeders and bird baths in places that Blue Jays already frequent to increase your chances of them visiting your space. Ensure there are plenty of bushes, trees, and other natural shelters where Blue Jays will feel safe.
Offer Enticing Foods
Blue Jays have diverse appetites and will sample many kinds of foods. Some foods that are particularly appealing include:
- Peanuts – Offer shelled, unsalted peanuts in feeders or platforms.
- Suet – Suet is high in fat and protein. Offer suet blocks or balls in specialized suet cages.
- Mealworms – Dried or live mealworms are irresistible to Blue Jays.
- Fruit – Blue Jays enjoy fruits like apples, oranges, grapes and cherries.
- Birdseed – Black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, cracked corn, and millet attract Blue Jays.
Providing a variety of enticing foods will help draw Blue Jays to your yard. Make sure feeders are full and foods are fresh. Keep offering the foods Blue Jays seem to like best.
Be Predictable and Patient
It will take time for Blue Jays to trust you and get comfortable. At first, they may dart in, grab some food, and quickly fly off. With regular routines and minimal disturbances, Blue Jays will gradually feel safer. Here are some tips:
- Set up a feeding schedule – Offer food at the same times each day.
- Minimize noise and quick movements – Loud noises or jarring actions will startle Blue Jays.
- Watch from a distance – Observe Blue Jays from inside a house or concealed area.
- Resist interacting at first – Don’t try to hand feed or touch Blue Jays until they are comfortable.
With routine and patience, Blue Jays will become accustomed to your presence. After some weeks or months, they may allow you to gradually move closer as they eat. Avoid making direct eye contact, as Blue Jays may see this as aggressive.
Slowly Build Trust
Once Blue Jays seem relaxed eating while you are nearby, you can slowly start to offer treats by hand. This is a critical step in the taming process. Here are some tips:
- Start by placing treats on a platform or ground near the feeders.
- Week by week, place the treats slightly closer to you.
- Sit quietly and avoid quick movements.
- After some time, hold your hand out flat with treats in the palm.
- Let Blue Jays take treats from your hand, but do not grasp at them.
This process will likely take many weeks. Some Blue Jays may never allow hand feeding. Go at their pace and retreat if they seem alarmed. With time and patience, some individuals will learn to trust you and feed right from your hand.
Train with Care
Once a Blue Jay is comfortable taking treats by hand, you can begin gentle training. Blue Jays are intelligent and can potentially learn tricks or behaviors through positive reinforcement. Here are some tips for effective training:
- Use highly desired foods for rewards like peanuts or mealworms.
- Start by rewarding Blue Jays for hopping onto an outstretched hand to eat.
- Gradually shape behaviors by rewarding small steps towards a goal.
- Use a clear hand signal or verbal cue to indicate desired behaviors.
- Keep training sessions very short to maintain interest.
- End each session on a positive note with an easy earned reward.
With this type of training, some Blue Jays respond well to cues or may allow gentle strokes on the head. However, Blue Jays should never be fully tamed or kept as pets. Even hand-raised jays maintain their wild instincts. Any “tame” Blue Jay should remain free to come and go outdoors.
Understanding Blue Jay Behavior
Learning about Blue Jays’ natural behaviors provides key insights on the best ways to interact with them:
Vocalizations
Blue Jays make a wide range of vocalizations beyond their typical “jay jay” call. Understanding their various calls can help provide insights into their mood or needs:
- Alarm or scolding calls – Harsh “jaaaay” notes indicate alarm or aggression.
- Flat rattle calls – A rapid “whut whut whut” indicates mild alarm.
- Soft gurgling – Gentle rolling notes are associated with contentment and pair bonds.
- Mimicry – Blue Jays can mimic the calls of hawks and other birds as a territorial display.
Paying attention to Blue Jay vocal cues helps ensure interactions are positive. Retreat if jays seem alarmed and offer treats when hearing soft gurgles as a reward.
Social Structures
Blue Jays form complex social bonds and hierarchies. Understanding flock dynamics is key for integrating into their environment:
- Mated pairs – Form long-term bonds and remain together year-round.
- Family flocks – Juveniles from previous nests often remain with parents.
- Dominance hierarchies – More dominant individuals have priority access to food and habitats.
- Small flocks – Outside breeding season, Blue Jays form flocks of 5-10 birds.
Providing ample resources can help reduce competition between jays. Integrating slowly allows them to understand you do not pose a threat to flock dynamics.
Defense Behaviors
Blue Jays are intelligent, social birds but they can be aggressive at times, especially in defending resources or territories. Some key behaviors include:
- Mobbing – Flocks may mob predators or other intruders by diving at them while vocalizing loudly.
- Jay on jay aggression – Disputes over rank and resources erupt between jays periodically.
- Mimicry – Aggressive jays use calls that mimic hawks as a territorial threat.
- Nest defense – Breeding pairs become very protective of nest sites and may attack intruders.
Understanding these behaviors allows you to avoid provoking negative reactions. Go slowly when approaching nests, retreat if jays seem aggressive, and do not block their routes.
Signs of Comfort
Despite their sometimes aggressive tendencies, Blue Jays will display signs of being comfortable and content including:
- Soft vocalizations – Gentle gurgling or murmuring notes.
- Feather preening – Using their beak to groom plumage.
- Stretching wings – Extending one or both wings outward to stretch.
- Tail flicks – Rapid fanning of the tail while perched.
- Crest raising – Erecting the feather crest when content.
Learning these cues allows you to gauge Blue Jay responses and continue interactions when birds seem at ease. Focus on rewarding desirable behaviors.
Potential Challenges
There are also some potential challenges to be aware of when trying to tame Blue Jays:
Cautions About Imprinting
Imprinting is the term for when hand-raised baby birds attach and identify with their human caretakers. Imprinted Blue Jays can be very tame, but may suffer if they cannot integrate back into the wild. It is illegal to take Blue Jay babies from nests. If attempting to rehabilitate an injured fledgling, work quickly with a wildlife expert to release.
Risk of Predation
Very tame Blue Jays accustomed to relying on humans for food can lose their natural wariness and ability to survive independently. This makes them vulnerable to predation by freeranging cats, dogs, and larger birds of prey. Tame jays should not be left flightless or taken permanently into captivity.
Potential Aggression
Even hand-raised Blue Jays retain natural instincts, including territoriality and aggression. They can unpredictably lash out with bites that can break human skin. Even bonded jays may become aggressive during breeding season. Always exercise caution when interacting closely.
Disease Transmission
Feeding wild birds does pose a minor risk of disease transmission to humans or poultry. Follow hygienic practices such as hand washing. Also clean and disinfect feeders periodically. Monitor birds for signs of illness and restrict access if issues arise.
Local Wildlife Laws
Check local bylaws, ordinances, and wildlife laws before feeding Blue Jays or other backyard birds. Providing food and water is generally allowed, but taking in or capturing wild Blue Jays may require permits. Follow all regulations on humane wildlife control.
Conclusion
For bird enthusiasts willing to invest significant time and patience, it is possible to gain the trust of typically wary Blue Jays. The keys are providing a safe environment with plenty of enticing foods while allowing birds to adjust on their own terms. Slowly building up hand feeding and rewards for desired behaviors can lead to jays accepting human presence. However, Blue Jays should always remain as wild birds able to live freely. With sensitivity to their needs, these intelligent, striking songbirds can become comfortable backyard visitors.