The most popular type of feeder to attract blue jays is a tray or a platform feeder. Try avoiding hanging feeders that swing or sway because such feeders will not provide any support to blue jays. Rather, opt for ground or pole-mounted feeders offering peanuts, corn, sunflower seeds, and suet balls to hungry jays.
How do you get a Blue Jay to come to your bird feeder?
To summarize the best ways to attract Blue Jays to your backyard, just make sure to offer their favorite foods ( sunflower, corn, peanuts ) on large and open feeders, provide a consistent water source, and have nearby native tree’s, and you should have no problem attracting these feisty, smart, and beautiful birds!
What is the best bird seed to attract blue jays?
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, because of their size, blue jays will need to feed on a platform feeder or a large tray.
What kind of bird feeder do blue jays like?
To attract blue jays, fill a hanging hopper bird feeder with peanuts, black sunflower seeds, corn, acorns, suet and mealworms. Place it near shrubs that don’t get too much foot traffic. You can also attract them to a specific area with a small plate of berries and fruit.
What feeders are best for Blue Jays?
- Hanging Peanut Wreath Blue Jay Feeder. ...
- Picnic Table Platform Bird Feeder. ...
- Blue Jay Tray Feeder. ...
- Blue Jay Bird Feeder. ...
- Lighthouse Shaped Peanut Feeder. ...
- Gray Bunny Peanut Feeder.
Do Blue Jays scare away Cardinals?
Yes, blue jays scare away cardinals . In fact, they may take it to themselves to bully any bird that’s smaller than them. ... Scrub jay, too, are known for their hostile behavior towards smaller birds.
What does a blue jay in your yard mean?
The most common meaning behind a Blue Jay’s visit is that you’re a loyal, trustworthy person . This can serve as a great reminder in moments of self doubt, and will help you with making some tough decisions that you may be dealing with.
What attracts blue jays to your yard?
Nuts are a particular favorite, including peanuts offered whole or already shelled. Suet, mealworms, cracked corn, and sunflower seeds are other great options to attract jays, and natural food sources such as small fruits and berries—elderberries, cherries, wild grapes, blackberries, etc.
What kind of bird seed DO BLUE JAYS not like?
Another tip to get rid of blue jays is to feed nyjer thistle seed . Blue jays, like lot of bully birds, tend to leave this seed alone.
What kind of bird seed do cardinals like?
Northern Cardinals feature a strong, thick beak, which is perfect for large seeds and other hearty foods. Safflower seeds , black oil sunflower seeds, and white milo are among a Northern Cardinal’s favorite seed options. In addition to large seeds, Cardinals enjoy eating crushed peanuts, cracked corn, and berries.
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. ... Both safflower and sunflower can be bought in small bags, in bulk, or in mixtures.
How do I attract hummingbirds?
- Add a new native plant species to your garden. ...
- Plan a continuous blooming schedule. ...
- Deadhead your flowers to enhance blooming. ...
- Tie an orange ribbon round the old oak tree. ...
- Repaint your plastic flowers; rehabilitate your old feeders. ...
- Replace old feeders.
What do you put in a blue jay feeder?
Food – Adding food to your feeder can help attract different birds. For Jays, you can fill the container with their favorite treat; peanuts ! Sunflower seeds, cracked corn, mealworms, and suet are the other best options to attract these bluebirds.
Will Blue Jays eat corn?
Whole kernel corn , shelled from cobs, is ideal food for blue jays, red-bellied woodpeckers and gray squirrels. If they get enough of those larger morsels, they leave the smaller seeds for the finches, titmice and chickadees. ... Feeding corn kernels can be inexpensive, too.
Are all jays blue?
In actuality, though, blue jays aren’t really blue . ... In fact, blue pigment is rare in nature. Instead, the pigment in a blue jay’s feathers — melanin — is brown, but we perceive it as blue because of a phenomenon called light scattering, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Are Blue Jays aggressive?
Blue jays can be very aggressive to other birds ; they sometimes raid nests, and have decapitated other birds. ... The name jay derives from the bird’s noisy, garrulous nature and has been applied to other birds of the same family, which are also mostly gregarious. Jays are also called jaybirds.
