How Do I Keep Blue Jays From Eating the Squirrels Peanuts
I love Blue Jays. They combine dazzler, brains, and spirit in a sleek three-ounce package topped with a perky little crest. People who've watched robins steadfastly intendance for nestlings and and then seen a jay grab them ane past one, usually don't share my feelings.
See reader photos of Blue Jay.
Blue Jays are more standoffish than our three scrub-jays and Grey Jay. Those species require more meat, which they often steal from large mammals. Depending on how complicit we are, nosotros call the food they take from u.s. "handouts" or "plunder."
All jays raid nests, but unlike well-nigh birds, Blueish Jays practise so primarily to feed an incubating mate or growing young, rather than for their own meals. Other birds don't seem to mind Blue Jays except when i directly approaches their nest. When a Blue Jay flies to a feeder, other birds may vanish, merely every bit shortly as they realize it's just a jay and not a more predacious species, they chop-chop return.
Blue Jays consume mostly plant material, such as acorns and other mast, fruits, and seeds. They manage only fine without us, but when we offer sunflower, peanuts, or suet, or provide a birdbath, they may become regular visitors.
Knowing what makes a feeder jay friendly is useful, whether our aim is to attract them or not. Many squirrel-proof tube feeders are enclosed in a broad-mesh cage to exclude squirrels and large birds, including jays. Dangling feeders often sway and lurch when a jay alights; the birds much prefer the solid footing of a platform feeder or a suet feeder attached to a tree trunk.
Some hopper feeders with weight-activated perches, designed to shut when squirrels or large birds alight, can be calibrated to close above or below a Blue Jay'south weight, depending on whether you want them or not.
In autumn, migratory flocks use my platform feeder as a feast table, feeding side by side. My local resident jays more often employ my feeders as a grocery store, stuffing nutrient into their pharynx pouch to hide in caches or eat in privacy later.
I year, ii tame squirrels accepted peanuts from my hand. A pair of Blue Jays took notice and started stealing the peanuts after the squirrels hid them. Shortly the jays were skipping the middleman. 1 would take the peanuts from my mitt, simply the other was too skittish. I had to set the peanuts down and stand back for that one to approach.
In autumn and wintertime, I whistle whenever I put peanuts in the window feeder by my desk. A pair of jays flies in and carries them off. Some mornings, the birds are already waiting. When they spot me, they make a jolly squawk every bit I crank open the window. Knowing that these spunky, intelligent birds recognize me gives my whole twenty-four hours a glow.
This article from Laura Erickson'southward column "Attracting Birds" appeared in the January/February 2016 issue of BirdWatching magazine.
Read a species profile of Bluish Jay by Laura Erickson.
Julie Craves describes why Blueish Jays imitate hawks.
Photo gallery: Seven cute jays.
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Source: https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/beginners/attracting-birds/dealing-with-smart-and-spirited-blue-jay-for-better-or-worse/