what to feed bluejays

What food do Blue Jays like?

Omnivorous. Most of diet is vegetable matter (up to 75% of diet for year, higher percentage in winter), including acorns, beechnuts, and other nuts, many kinds of seeds, grain, berries, small fruits, sometimes cultivated fruits.

What do Blue Jays eat at feeders?

Feed. Blue jays enjoy nuts, especially peanuts–whole or already shelled. They also like common bird feed like suet, cracked corn, and black oil sunflower seeds. However, blue jays will need to feed on a platform feeder or a large tray because of their size.

What brings Blue Jays to your yard?

7 Proven Ways to Attract Blue Jays to Your YardOffer their favorite foods.Use a Blue-Jay-friendly feeder.Have water available.Plant fruit-bearing shrubs.Plant nut-bearing trees.Go organic.Keep kitty inside.

What kind of seed does a blue jay eat?

sunflower seedsBlue jays love to eat a variety of food types including sunflower seeds, blackberries, cherries, acorns, mealworms, beechnuts, suet, peanuts, and other dried berries.

How do you befriend a blue jay?

You can offer them mealworms, cracked corn, suet, and even sunflower seeds. These are all among some of Blue Jay's favorite treats. But nuts aren't the only treat you can offer a Blue Jay. They also enjoy sweeter treats such as berries and fruits.

Do blue jays eat apples?

Aside from berries, blue jays will also happily munch on other fruits such as apples, oranges and cherries. If feeding apples and oranges, make sure that you slice them up into manageable pieces for the birds to enjoy.

Do blue jays recognize humans?

Ravens and other members of the corvid family (crows, jays, and magpies) are known to be intelligent. They can remember individual human faces, expertly navigate human environments (like trash cans), and they even hold funerals for their dead.

Do blue jays like peanut butter?

You can also smear peanut butter on tree bark, or slather pine cones in peanut butter and dip them in bird seed. Woodpeckers, nuthatches and blue jays love to eat peanut butter.

Do cardinals and bluejays get along?

The Blue Jay and the northern cardinal share a large distribution, implying that they get along well enough to co-exist. Both species are currently listed as the least concern. Blue Jays and Cardinals are not more enemies than other backyard birds fighting over the same food sources.

Do Blue Jays swallow sunflower seeds whole?

Blue jays and chickadees hold sunflower seeds in their feet, and hack a hole into the shell with the tip of their beak. When blue jays “swallow” a whole seed, they're actually putting it into their throat pouch to hide for later.

Do Blue Jays eat whole corn?

Whole kernel corn, shelled from cobs, is ideal food for blue jays, red-bellied woodpeckers and gray squirrels.

Do Bluejays like sunflower seeds?

Blue jays prefer to eat their food from tray and hopper feeders, or another flat raised surface. Their robust bill can make quick work of peanuts, acorns, sunflower seeds and even suet.

How do I attract Blue Jays to my feeder?

Peanuts in any form—whole, shelled, or even peanut butter—are their favorites at backyard feeders. Putting out a handful of nuts is sure to invite a loud, raucous jay squabble over the tasty tidbits. One bird may even take several nuts at once, quickly flying off to hide his bounty.

What kind of feeder do Blue Jays like?

You will need a ground bird feeder or a large bird feeder to support blue jays. Alternatively, you can put some seeds on the ground in order to attract them. Blue jays are fond of black oil sunflower seeds, corn, peanuts, and acorns.

Will Blue Jays eat from a bird feeder?

Blue Jays are a type of bird that love to eat from feeders. There are many types of food that blue jays enjoy, including acorns, peanuts, corn, meal worms, and black oil sunflower seeds. Blue Jays also like eating from suet feeders.

Is it good to have Blue Jays in your yard?

Cyanocitta cristata, or the blue jay, is a crested and large songbird. Blue jays are beneficial to the fauna, and other flora in their ecosystem since their fondness of acorns helps spread oak forests across North America.

How to keep blue jays from eating?

Avoid the sun. Place the feeder in the shade, if possible. Blue Jays are diurnal, so they feed during the daylight hours. Since they take mass quantities of food at a time so that they can hide it, their visit to the feeder can be rather lengthy. That’s a lot of time in the heat of the sun.

How many acorns can a blue jay eat?

Carrying several nuts at a time in the gular pouch of its esophagus, a single blue jay can cache as many as 5,000 acorns in a 2.5-mile radius. Some of those acorns tucked under grass or leaves eventually become trees. New: Check out my review of the best squirrel-proof bird feeders.

What is a blue jay?

The blue jay is a partially migratory songbird in the Corvid family, along with ravens and crows. It has black and blue plumage, a white face and a thick bill. Those who have spent time or live in central or eastern North America tend to recognize them easily.

Can blue jays snub feeders?

They certainly won’t snub a more traditional feeder, though. Be sure that whatever feeder you get, it is sizable enough to support blue jays. There are several ground feeders and larger bird feeders on the market. You can also scatter seed on the ground to attract blue jays. Stock the feeder with their favorites.

Do blue jays mate in the winter?

Both parents share equal responsibility for feeding their young once the eggs have hatched. Into late summer, fall and winter, blue jays may have to search for food in other locations.

Can blue jays eat suets?

Or from a window, if available. Don’t forget the suet. Blue Jays also enjoy eating from suet feeders, but be sure not to leave the suet for too long in the summer months as it will go rotten. Provide a source for hydration… and cleanliness.

Blue Jay Diet

The Blue jays are brilliant birds and are adaptable too. Their diet consists of different food varieties like grasshoppers, mice, baby birds, larger insects, caterpillars, bird eggs, etc.

What Do Baby Blue Jays Eat?

Just like other birds, baby blue jays follow the diet of their parent. Baby blue jays eat food more or less like their parents or eat what their parents gave them. For eating food, baby blue jays are dependent on both parents.

How Often Should You Feed Blue jays?

It depends on the age of blue jays that how often you should feed them? You can feed adult blue jay after every two to three hours. For a baby blue jay, you should feed him after every 30 minutes or whenever you saw them opening their mouth.

Blue Jays Favorite Foods

Blue jays are capable of eating various foods, and the same goes with finding the food. They are fully capable of holding the nuts acorns from their feet and, after cracking them, open with their bills.

How Long Can Blue Jays Go Without Eating?

Surviving without any food is impossible for any living being in this world. However, the duration that different beings can survive without having any food varies from species to species.

Do Blue Jays Eat Other Birds?

Yes, blue jays do eat eggs of other birds and are known for this reason. There is no denying that blue jays have been spotted attacking other birds to steal their food and even eat their babies or eggs in some rare cases.

What Do Blue Jays Eat In The Winter?

Blue jays eat plenty and various types of food. They have to eat more food in winter than in summers. In winters, their diet consists of vegetables, berries, seeds, and beechnuts.

What do blue jays eat?

A blue jay’s diet consists mainly of nuts, seeds, acorns, small fruits, berries, suet and insects. As you can see, these birds eat a wide variety of foods. But, they do have favorites. Here are a selection of 8 favorite foods that blue jays will gobble up happily from your feeders. If you provide plenty of these, ...

How many mealworms do blue jays eat?

Because insects form a large part of the blue jay’s diet, they absolutely adore mealworms. In fact, a single blue jay can easily eat around 100-150 mealworms every day. These tasty treats are high in protein and are great to put out when the birds are nesting.

What is suet for blue jays?

Suet for blue jays consists of a mix of beef fat, peanuts, sunflower seeds and corn. The addition of the beef fat to the mix gives these feisty birds an extra shot of energy. Generally, you can find a suet mix available in blocks. These are ideal to put into special suet feeders that are also squirrel-proof.

How to attract blue jays to my yard?

If you want to attract lots of blue jays to your yard, put out some peanuts in their shells. Blue jays absolutely adore these. You can add them to your platform feeders or you can even get a dedicated peanut feeder.

What kind of berries do blue jays like?

Berries. Blue jays love all types of berries including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and elderberries. Therefore, if you want to provide a little treat for your visiting blue jays, you could set up a separate feeder just for berries and fruit.

Do squirrels eat corn?

Be aware though, that squirrels also love to eat corn. Therefore, make sure that your feeder is squirrel-proof by installing some baffles to make it difficult for the squirrels to get the corn from the feeders. Interestingly, a blue jay will also eat corn kernels straight from the cob.

Do blue jays like oak trees?

Many of these hidden acorns have been forgotten by the birds and have grown into large oak trees around North America. Another tree that blue jays favor is the beech.

How to feed baby blue jays?

Try not to deal with tofu or wet bread or dry birdseed or milk to baby blue jays. Utilize an eyedropper to put the food toward the rear of the child bird’s mouth, past the windpipe. Feed hatchlings at regular intervals from morning until night.

What do baby blue jays eat?

Baby blue jays usually eat seeds, crickets, caterpillars, and worms brought by the parent birds in the nest. Read the full post to know what you can properly feed baby blue jays and their favorite foods.

Do blue jays eat eggs?

However, worms positively advance into many infant baby blue jay’s weight control plans. Blue jays are known to eat eggs or little birds, and it is the training that has discolored their standing. The fact is, they are generally veggie-lover birds.

Can blue jays eat fruit?

No, they don’t tend to eat fruits because blue jays are omnivorous. They only consume food from plant and meat sources. But somewhat they can eat fruits. It would be best if you select unsalted nuts and delicate grains for your saved baby blue jays. Berries should be new or frozen for baby blue jays, not tinned.

Can baby blue jays eat raspberries?

So, baby blue jays can eat blueberries without any hesitation if provided carefully. Blueberries are the most loved food of numerous birds.

1. Songbird Essentials SE6019 Wreath Feeders

There are three things that I love about this feeder: simple, sturdy, and effective. At a glance, you might think it’s nothing but a piece of refurbished metal that you can just hang on a tree or post. But the straightforward design is beyond innovative because it can offer ample capacity for whole peanuts and even suet.

2. Twinkle Star Wild Bird Feeders

I won’t deny that it’s love at first upon seeing this beautiful feeder. The hexagon roof embellished with fish scale patterns and antique copper finish truly is a stunning sight that can stand out in your garden or backyard.

3. Songbird Essentials SE6020 Wreath Feeders

Contrary to our first wreath peanut feeder for blue jays, this one comes in a cherry red color. It stands out in the yard and it’s a whole lot of fun when blue jays and other birds stop by for a snack.

4. Droll Yankees Seed Saver Platform Feeders

For a sophisticated perch and feeder for your feathered friends, this Seed Saver Domed feeder from Droll Yankees is probably what’s missing in your yard. It is definitely a beauty that compliments the house exteriors but its versatility is what makes it one of a kind.

5. Birds Choice Whole Peanut Blue Jay Feeders

When you’re in need of a blue jay peanut feeder that you can set up in your backyard and attract blue jays with their favorite whole nuts, you would love this feeder from Birds Choice.

6. Brome Store Squirrel Proof Buster Peanut Feeders

Unless you’re feeding squirrels, you’ll need a squirrel proof blue jay feeder to shoo them all away from those precious peanuts. I’ve come across a lot of bird feeders but this one from Brome is definitely a tough contender.

7. Droll Yankees 21964205201 Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders

When flocks of birds usually come around your area or the seeds seem to run out too fast, you should get a bird feeder with a larger capacity.

What do blue jays eat?

Their large size, blue feathers, and distinctive call mean that just about anyone can recognize a blue jay. Adults can often be seen eating large acorns, and are drawn to feeders full of things like peanuts and sunflower seeds. They also have been known to occasionally raid ...

What is baby blue jay food?

Mostly, that means seeds, nuts, and insects. If you find yourself caring for baby blue jays that have been abandoned while waiting for help from a rehabber, pet food or commercially sold baby bird food will help to meet their nutritional needs.

How long do blue jays stay in the nest?

Adult blue jays bring nuts, seeds, insects and small animals back to the nest for their chicks. For at least six weeks after hatching, the chicks are totally dependent on their parents to bring them food, and the parents bring whatever they can find.

What happens if you dive bomb a blue jay?

In all likelihood, if you’re dive bombed by a blue jay, you were walking too close to their nest. Blue jays like to build their nests high up in trees and they hide them well, so it’s rare to spot them. The parents, though, are fierce protectors and won’t hesitate to chase of potential predators.

When do blue jays learn to fly?

The parents, though, are fierce protectors and won’t hesitate to chase of potential predators. This is especially true around May and June, when the babies are just learning to fly. This is when they’re at their most vulnerable, and the adults get extra protective of them. That’s when most blue jay attacks occur.

Do blue jays take turns feeding?

Male and female blue jays both take turns feeding the young, however it has been observed that males may often do the majority of the feeding. Some feedings can be very quick, and the adults will only stop by for a minute before leaving to find food again.

Can you rehab baby blue jays?

If you have determined that the baby blue jays do need help, it is important to contact a qualified bird rehabber. In many states, only certified rehab specialists are allowed to be in possession of wild birds. Not to mention they are trained in exactly how to care for them.

How to hand feed a blue jay?

If you want to succeed in hand-feeding a Blue Jay, you should stay consistent. When you show up at the same time each and every day, the birds will get to know you better. If the bird flies away, avoid the temptation to follow it. Let the birds feel safe enough to move away from you. If you do follow or chase the bird, they could interpret that as predatory.

How to make sure blue jays are welcome?

First up, make sure you are offering them something to suit all their needs. You need to make sure that you provide shelter, food, water, and comfortable nesting sites. If you bring all of these to your backyard, Blue Jays are sure to feel welcome in your backyard.

Do blue jays robins?

Blue Jays have a bad reputation for being bullies of the bird world. They are beautiful, bold creatures that have often been spotted robbing a robin’s nest. They do sometimes scoop a young robin hatchling out the nest. For this reason, they haven’t garnered the love of many birders.

Do blue jays take offense?

Remember that Blue Jays are brave and will take offense if they feel threatened. Be sure to be consistent and show up around the same time each day. This will help earn Blue Jay’s trust, and they will begin to recognize you as a non-threatening presence.

Is a blue jay good for the environment?

Blue jays are renowned for their bravado and beautiful plumage, but did you know they are excellent environmentalists too? While the blue jay is not an activist, they are great for the environment. They have a strong proclivity for planting acorns and seeds, helping encourage biodiversity, amongst other things. So, we know they are excellent for encouraging foliage, but are they good at hand feeding? Is hand feeding Blue Jays recommended?