Blue jays are beautiful, intelligent birds that are a delight to watch in the backyard. Attracting these birds to your yard can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. In this article, we’ll provide you with 7 proven tips for attracting beautiful blue jays to your backyard.
1. Provide Food: A Delicious and Varied Menu Tailored For Blue Jays
In this section, we’ll share some tips on creating a delicious and varied menu tailored to the taste preferences of blue jays that will not only attract them to your yard but also keep them coming back for more.
Nuts and Seeds
Blue jays are fond of nuts and seeds, and they’re especially drawn to peanuts and sunflower seeds. You can buy these items at your local pet or bird store, or even at a grocery store. Place the seeds and nuts in a bird feeder that’s visible and accessible. You can use a hanging bird feeder, or you can place a tray on a flat surface. Blue jays will also eat suet, which is a high-energy food made of animal fat.
Fruits
Blue jays are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals. They’re also known to enjoy fruits, especially those that are sweet and juicy. You can offer them a variety of fruits such as apples, grapes, berries, and oranges. Cut the fruits into small pieces and place them in a tray or a bird feeder. You can also use a skewer to hang the fruit pieces from a tree branch.
Discover The Variety of Fruits and Vegetable Birds Eat.
Mealworms
Mealworms are the larvae of beetles and are an excellent source of protein for birds. Blue jays love mealworms, and you can buy them from a pet store or order them online. You can place the mealworms in a bird feeder or on a flat surface, and they will quickly discover them.
Insects
Blue jays are also fond of insects, and they’ll eat everything from beetles to grasshoppers. If you have a garden, avoid using pesticides, as they can harm insects and, as a result, harm insect-eating birds. Instead, let the insects thrive, and the blue jays will come to eat them.
Leftovers
Blue jays are known to be opportunistic feeders, and they’ll eat almost anything that’s available. If you have leftovers from a meal, you can place them outside for the blue jays to enjoy. They’ll eat everything from bread to pasta, and they’ll appreciate the variety.
2. Offer Water: A Refreshing Oasis
Blue jays are not only attracted to food, but they also need water to survive. Providing water in your backyard will not only help quench their thirst but also attract them to your yard. In this section, we’ll discuss how to create a refreshing oasis for these birds in your backyard.
Birdbaths
Birdbaths are one of the most popular and effective ways to provide water for blue jays. You can buy a birdbath from a pet or bird store, or you can even make one yourself. Birdbaths come in different shapes and sizes, so choose one that’s suitable for your backyard. Ensure it is shallow enough for the birds to drink from and has a textured surface for them to grip onto.
Drippers and Misters
Blue jays are also attracted to the sound of dripping or misting water, which can mimic the sound of rain. You can install a dripper or a misting system in your yard to create a continuous supply of fresh water. They will be drawn to the sound and the movement of the water and will come to drink from it.
Ponds and Fountains
If you have a larger yard, you can consider adding a pond or a fountain. These water features not only provide a source of drinking water but also add beauty and ambiance to your yard. Blue jays will enjoy bathing and playing in the water, and you can also attract other birds and wildlife to your yard with this feature.
Clean and Fresh Water
Regardless of the water source you choose, ensure that the water is clean and fresh. Change the water regularly and clean the birdbath or water feature with a brush to remove any algae or debris. Avoid using harsh chemicals that can harm birds and other wildlife in your yard.
3. Create a Habitat: A Comfortable Home
Creating a habitat for blue jays in your backyard is not only a great way to attract them but also to provide them with a comfortable home. These birds require shelter, nesting sites, and places to perch and rest. In this section, we’ll discuss how to create a comfortable habitat for them in your backyard.
Provide Shelter
Blue jays need shelter to protect them from predators, harsh weather conditions, and extreme temperatures. You can provide shelter by planting trees and shrubs that offer cover and protection. Native trees and shrubs like oak, maple, and holly are great options for blue jays as they provide food and shelter. You can also add a birdhouse or a nesting box in your yard to provide a safe place for nesting and raising their young.
Offer Perches and Roosting Sites
Blue jays need perches and roosting sites to rest and survey their surroundings. You can provide perches by placing bird feeders, birdhouses, or nesting boxes on tall poles or trees. You can also add branches and twigs to your yard to provide natural perches for birds to rest on.
Provide Food and Water
Creating a habitat for blue jays also involves providing them with food and water. In addition to offering bird feeders and a water source, you can also plant fruit-bearing trees and shrubs like dogwood, elderberry, and serviceberry. Blue jays love nuts like peanuts and acorns, so adding a nut feeder to your yard can also attract them.
4. Use Bright Colors: A Colorful and Attractive Landscape
To attract blue jays to your backyard, the use of bright colors can be an effective strategy. Incorporating brightly colored flowers and plants, decorative accents, painted garden furniture, and birdhouses or nesting boxes in bright colors like blue or red can create a colorful and attractive landscape that will catch the attention of birds. By implementing these tips, you can create an inviting environment for blue jays to visit and make your backyard a haven for these beautiful birds.
5. Creating a Safe and Secure Habitat for Blue Jays
To attract blue jays to your backyard, it’s important to create a safe and secure environment free from potential predators. Providing cover in the form of trees, shrubs, and bushes can create a natural barrier between your backyard and predators, while also serving as a nesting site for blue jays. When installing bird feeders, it’s important to hang them high off the ground and away from trees or objects to prevent predators from accessing them.
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