Blue jays are known for their striking blue feathers and loud songs. These bright and beautiful songbirds are a favorite among birders. If you want to bring blue jays to your backyard, you’ll need to know about their favorite food, nesting habits, and more, so follow these tips from Blain’s Farm & Fleet to get started.
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. Natural food sources like cherries, blackberries, and other small fruits will bring the colorful birds to your backyard, and if you have them around your yard, acorns also work well to attract these birds.
Finding a reliable water source is crucial in the colder winter months as the jays drink out of it and splash around and bathe. These birds stay around all year long, so you’ll want a heated birdbath to keep them coming back. Due to their large size, look for a birdbath that’s deeper and wider in the middle. Plus, they like to travel as a family, so the whole family of birds can utilize the birdbath together.
Blue jays don’t use birdhouses–they prefer mature and secure trees where they can build a nest. If a tree can double as a food source, they’ll choose it. Beech, oak, and hickory are some popular trees for jays. To encourage nest building, leave out materials like grass clippings, sticks, and small twigs.
At Blain’s Farm & Fleet, you’ll find everything for backyard bird watching. We understand that different species of birds have different needs. That’s why we offer a variety of bird feed and feeders to attract birds of all kinds to your backyard. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned birder, you’ll be set with supplies from Blain’s Farm & Fleet. For more tips on attracting wild birds and bird watching, visit our Wild Bird Blog.
