Blue jays are vibrant, intelligent birds known for their striking blue feathers, bold personalities, and varied vocalizations.
Attracting these lively birds to your yard adds beauty and life, along with the benefits of natural pest control and seed dispersal. Here’s how to create an inviting environment for blue jays by providing the right food, water, shelter, and nesting sites.
Offer Blue Jay-Friendly Food
Blue jays are omnivores, and providing a variety of foods will increase your chances of attracting them to your yard.
Peanuts (In or Out of the Shell): Peanuts are a favorite of blue jays, and they especially love peanuts in the shell. They’ll crack open the shells to get to the nut, which provides both entertainment and nutrition. You can place peanuts in a platform feeder, on a tray, or even scatter them on the ground.
Suet for Energy: Suet is a high-energy food that is especially beneficial during colder months. Suet cakes with seeds, berries, or nuts are particularly appealing to blue jays. Use a sturdy suet feeder that can support their weight, or break up suet cakes and place them on a platform feeder.
Sunflower Seeds: Black oil sunflower seeds are nutritious and easy for blue jays to eat. These seeds are rich in fat and protein, which provides the energy they need. You can offer sunflower seeds in a platform feeder or a sturdy hopper feeder that blue jays can easily access.
Corn and Fruit: Cracked corn is another excellent food for blue jays, as it’s easy to eat and provides a filling snack. Additionally, blue jays enjoy small fruits like apple slices, grapes, and berries. Place these fruits on a flat surface or platform feeder where blue jays can easily find them.
Choose the Right Feeders
The right feeder setup is important for attracting blue jays, as they are larger birds and need space to perch comfortably.
Platform Feeders: Platform feeders are perfect for blue jays because they provide ample space for perching and eating. These feeders are versatile and can hold a variety of foods, including peanuts, suet, and sunflower seeds. Place platform feeders in an open area for easy access.
Tray Feeders: Tray feeders mounted on poles or placed close to the ground are easily accessible to blue jays. They allow you to offer a mix of foods, including corn, seeds, and fruits. Choose a tray feeder that is stable and can support the weight of multiple blue jays.
Hopper Feeders: Hopper feeders are great for holding larger quantities of seed and keeping it dry. Choose a sturdy model, as blue jays may land with force. Hopper feeders with large perches work well because they provide enough space for blue jays to perch while feeding.
Avoid Small Tube Feeders: Tube feeders are generally too small for blue jays, as the perches are usually designed for smaller birds. Blue jays may struggle to access food from tube feeders, so it’s best to stick to feeders that provide more open space.
Provide a Water Source
Like all birds, blue jays need access to fresh water for drinking and bathing. Adding a reliable water source can make your yard even more attractive to them.
Birdbaths: Blue jays prefer birdbaths with water that’s 1–2 inches deep, which allows them to drink and bathe comfortably. Place the birdbath at ground level or slightly elevated, and make sure it’s stable enough to support larger birds. Choose a birdbath with a gently sloping edge for easy access.
Moving Water Features: Blue jays are attracted to the sound of moving water. Consider adding a small fountain, dripper, or water wiggler to your birdbath to create motion. Moving water stays fresh longer and is more appealing to birds.
Regularly Clean Water Sources: Keep your birdbath clean and filled with fresh water. Change the water daily, especially in hot weather, to prevent algae buildup and keep it free from debris. A clean water source is essential to keep blue jays coming back.
Create a Safe Feeding Environment
Blue jays are larger birds that appreciate a safe and accessible feeding area. Creating a secure environment helps them feel comfortable visiting your yard.
Place Feeders Near Trees or Shrubs: Position your feeders near trees or dense shrubs to provide natural cover. Blue jays like to perch in trees while surveying their surroundings, so placing feeders near shelter allows them a safe spot to watch for potential threats.
Keep Cats Indoors: Outdoor cats can be a significant threat to birds. Keeping cats indoors helps protect blue jays and other backyard birds. If there are outdoor cats nearby, consider placing your feeders in elevated or open areas where cats are less likely to reach them.
Use Squirrel Baffles: Squirrels often invade bird feeders and can disrupt blue jays’ feeding. Adding baffles to feeder poles helps keep squirrels away and ensures that the food remains available for the birds. Squirrel-proof feeders can also be helpful if squirrels are a recurring issue.
Plant Blue Jay-Friendly Vegetation
Blue jays are attracted to a variety of trees and shrubs that provide food, shelter, and nesting spots. Planting the right vegetation can create a more inviting habitat for them.
Plant Oak and Beech Trees: Blue jays are known for their love of acorns and beechnuts, which are key components of their diet. Planting oak and beech trees provides a natural food source for blue jays. These trees also attract insects, which are another food source for blue jays.
Add Berry-Producing Shrubs: Shrubs that produce berries, such as elderberry, dogwood, and serviceberry, provide a seasonal food source for blue jays. These shrubs also offer cover and a place to perch.
Include Dense Shrubs for Shelter: Dense shrubs like juniper, holly, and rhododendron provide safe cover and potential nesting sites. Blue jays prefer areas with a mix of open spaces and dense foliage, so adding shrubs creates a more attractive environment.
Create a Mixed Habitat: Plant a mix of tall trees, shrubs, and ground cover to create a varied landscape. This layered approach gives blue jays multiple options for perching, feeding, and nesting, making your yard more appealing overall.
Provide Nesting Materials
Blue jays build nests with natural materials like twigs, bark, and plant fibers. Offering nesting materials can encourage them to nest nearby.
Offer Twigs and Small Sticks: Blue jays build their nests with twigs and small sticks. You can place these materials in a small pile or scatter them in a corner of your yard, where blue jays can easily find them.
Provide Pine Needles and Bark Strips: Pine needles, bark strips, and soft plant fibers are also popular nesting materials for blue jays. These materials provide padding and insulation, making the nests more comfortable.
Add Nesting Shelves or Platforms: While blue jays prefer building their nests in trees, you can install a small shelf or platform near dense foliage to provide additional nesting support. Position it 6–12 feet off the ground for added safety and stability.
Create a Naturalized Area in Your Yard
A more natural landscape with unmanicured areas provides additional food sources and shelter for blue jays.
Leave Some Areas Wild: Consider letting a portion of your yard remain unmanicured. Wild areas attract insects and provide natural food sources. Blue jays will appreciate the variety and the cover these areas offer.
Allow Seed Heads to Remain on Plants: In the fall, leave the seed heads on plants like sunflowers and coneflowers. These plants produce seeds that blue jays enjoy and offer natural foraging opportunities.
Add Brush Piles for Foraging: Brush piles provide shelter and attract insects, which blue jays may forage for. A small pile of branches or twigs in a corner of your yard can become a valuable resource for blue jays and other birds.
Be Consistent with Feeding and Watering
Consistency is key to attracting and keeping blue jays in your yard. Regular feeding and watering routines help them recognize your yard as a reliable resource.
Feed at Regular Intervals: Set a feeding schedule that keeps food available throughout the day, especially in the morning. Blue jays will learn to visit your yard regularly if they know when to expect food.
Check Water Frequently: Ensure that your water source remains fresh and clean. Regularly change the water in your birdbath or ground water dish to maintain a healthy environment.
Place Food in the Same Spot: Blue jays are more likely to return if food is consistently placed in the same location. Establish a specific feeding spot to make it easier for them to find food.
Observe and Enjoy Blue Jay Behavior
Blue jays are intelligent birds with fascinating behaviors, so take time to observe and enjoy their presence in your yard.
Watch for Food Stashing: Blue jays often store food for later, hiding it in crevices, under leaves, or even burying it in the ground. Watching them collect and stash food can be both amusing and insightful.
Listen for Their Calls: Blue jays are known for their vocalizations and can mimic sounds, including hawk calls. Listen for their varied calls, which are useful for communicating with other blue jays and warning of potential predators.
Appreciate Their Social Interactions: Blue jays are social birds and often forage in family groups. Observing their interactions, from feeding behaviors to vocalizations, can be a rewarding experience.
Conclusion
Attracting blue jays to your yard involves providing the right food, water, shelter, and environment. By offering peanuts, sunflower seeds, suet, and a consistent water source, and by planting blue jay-friendly vegetation, you’ll create a welcoming space for these vibrant birds. Enjoy watching their behaviors, listening to their calls, and appreciating the natural beauty they bring to your outdoor space. With a bit of effort and patience, blue jays will become regular visitors, adding color and life to your yard.