How to Attract Blue Jays

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff | Reader-Approved

Updated: March 28, 2019

Explore this Article Building an Attractive Home Keeping Blue Jays Fed Understanding Blue Jays’ Habits Article Summary Questions & Answers Related Articles References

Blue jays can be beneficial for the environment due to their proclivity of "planting" seeds and acorns. This, in turn, populates the environment with foliage. Today, you can find blue jays in just about any habitat, although they prefer oak woodlands. While they can be a bit raucous, they will add a beautiful vibrant pop of color to any yard or scene.

Part 1
Building an Attractive Home

  1. 1
    Build or purchase an open nesting platform. Blue jays are attracted to flat spaces on tree branches or surfaces like window sills. For this reason, they will make good use of a flat nesting platform instead of a traditional house.
    • The floor area should be no less than 8 inches (20 cm) by 8 inches (20 cm). It should be high off the ground, either mounted in a tree or on a pole. Whatever platform location you choose, make sure it is not prone to predators such as raccoons. Blue jays can build their nests anywhere from 5 feet (1.5 meters) to 50 feet (15 meters) above ground.[1]
    • You can also buy hanging feeders, like peanut wreaths, that are especially designed to attract birds like blue jays. You can also try a fun craft if you have kids or make it alone. Take a pinecone and cover it with peanut butter and bird seeds. Birds go crazy for them and you can sometimes find these things right in your very own home.
    • Hanging feeders are more free-floating, making it harder for other animals like raccoons to get at. However, they are more unstable and larger birds may shy away from them.
  2. 2
    Choose a place that’s in the shade and away from predators. Have your nesting platform inaccessible to squirrels if at all possible. Since you’ll likely be loading the platform up with nuts and seeds, it could be a squirrel’s heyday – and he could fight off the birds from his new-found treasure.
    • In the shade is important, too. Sometimes blue jays will eat and eat and then stock up food in their mouths (their gular pocket) to bring back to their home and bury for later. This can take a lot of time, and if they’re in the sun, they’ll heat up. Keep your feeders in the shade so they can stay comfortable.
  3. 3
    Install a birdbath. A birdbath a good source of water for the jays and a good source of entertainment for you as you watch them bathe. A birdbath will also attract birds of other varieties, too.
    • Having a birdbath with a light mister or small fountain is double the fun. The birds will be intrigued, and you’ll be intrigued watching the birds’ fascination with their find.
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Part 1 Quiz

Which of these homes is best for a blue jay?

Not quite! Blue jays actually need a home that is high off the ground so that they can avoid predators. Blue jays build their nests anywhere from 5 to 50 feet (1.5 to 15 meters) above ground. Choose another answer!

Correct! Blue jays prefer flat spaces on tree branches or surfaces like window sills. Remember that the floor area should be no less than 8 by 8 inches (20 by 20 cm) Read on for another quiz question.

Not exactly! Blue jays actually enjoy flat spaces rather than cramped enclosures. While they do gather bedding for their "nest," it is typically not a traditional circular nest. Guess again!

Part 2
Keeping Blue Jays Fed

  1. 1
    Offer the blue jays their favorite foods. The best way to attract birds to your area is with food. The blue jay's diet mainly consists of plants, vegetables and nuts, though they also eat some insects. You will draw quite a few blue jays to your area if you offer a variety in a large platform feeder. Some of the blue jay's favorites include:[2]
    • Peanuts (preferably shelled)
    • Black and striped sunflower seeds
    • Elder berries
    • Cherries
    • Dogwood
    • Acorns
    • Suet
  2. 2
    Keep their perch clear. Make sure the feeding area that you offer the jays has plenty of perching available. You want a nice, large, open shelf – not an enclosed area. If you notice it’s covered in food or that part is inaccessible due to an obstacle of sorts (like a branch), adjust the shelf to make it easier for the birds to munch. If you really care about them you can clean off the sides of the house.
    • You should clean up any left over berries, nut shells, egg shells, feces or dead insects on the bird perch or house to keep it clean.
  3. 3
    Consider planting an oak tree. Blue jays prefer oak woodlands, though they can be found just about anywhere.[3] However, if you want the best odds of getting blue jays, oak is the way to go.
    • Beech trees are a solid second as they too have nuts blue jays love feasting on.
    • What’s more, having trees around will provide the blue jays shelter should they need it from inclement weather (which is especially important in winter). It’s good for nesting, too.
  4. 4
    Keep the food stocked. Blue jays are some of the most intelligent birds out there and, in general, have great memories. If you only stock food intermittently, they'll likely find somewhere else to go that's more reliable. Keep the peanuts coming and you'll be logged into their brains as a good, consistent food source.[4]
    • Blue jays are generally quick to move. If the food disappears, they won't likely wait for it to show up. To keep the same ones around, you'll need to be on top of your blue jay game.
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Part 2 Quiz

How can you encourage blue jays to return to your area?

Not quite! Blue jays prefer high areas in trees, so they are generally safe from most household pets. However, pets may chase blue jays away from birdbaths or feeders, so you should avoid letting them out when the blue jays are in these areas. There’s a better option out there!

Not necessarily! Blue jays don't like all trees. Oak and beech trees are their favorites as these provide the nuts they like to eat. These trees also provide shade and nesting space. Pick another answer!

Yes! Blue jays actually have great memories, so if you keep their favorite foods stocked, they will remember and return. Blue jays enjoy peanuts, sunflower seeds, elderberries, and cherries. Read on for another quiz question.

Part 3
Understanding Blue Jays’ Habits

  1. 1
    Be aware of the blue jays' mating and nesting habits. Blue jays mate from March to July and this must be taken into consideration when building or installing your nesting platform. You should anticipate when the mating pair needs the nesting platform so you can have it up and ready to go. Blue jays are monogamous and will normally stay together until one dies.
    • It might also help if you offer a pile of sticks and twigs nearby to help them with building their nest. The efforts to build a nest can take hundreds of trips back and forth bringing in the needed materials. Providing them these items encourages them to remain in the area.
  2. 2
    Know that blue jays are omnivorous. For the most part, blue jays eat nuts and seeds, yes. But they have been known to harvest on eggs or even small frogs, baby birds, and invertebrates from time to time. You may catch a bird in the act of something you’d rather not see. It’s important to know this before you go about hoping for blue jays in your area.
    • Because of this, many people are actually in the market to get rid of the blue jays in their yard, believing the blue jays are wreaking havoc on the other animals that are more peaceful. It's important to consider this side before you have a yard full of them.
  3. 3
    Be aware that they can be a bit raucous. They tend to move around in groups, especially in the autumn, and their social behavior can be quite dynamic.[5] They can be obnoxious, too, scaring away other birds and even imitating hawks to do so. They’re highly territorial – but if they’re outnumbered, they’ll back off. Because of their antics, some people don’t like them in the garden or backyard, but they are quite the sight to see!
    • Blue jays are sort of a give and take. You may have to bequeath your yard unto them, but they will grace you with their beautiful colors. If you do decide to go this route, be ready for other birds and small animals to be more scarce. They know fighting a blue jay for territory isn't worth it.
  4. 4
    If they start disrupting your backyard, take action. Blue jays are commonly referred to as bully birds, keeping other birds at bay. Sometimes they even eat their young. If you've got too many blue jays, consider constructing a "blue jays only" feeding area and put other feeders and birdbaths out of sight. Alternatively, keep their food source minimal so they only come around once in a while.[6]
    • Blue jays are fairly big birds. If you want other, smaller birds around, put up a few bird houses and feeders that the jays cannot fit into. They'll abandon the fight once they realize it's fruitless.
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Part 3 Quiz

How can you help blue jays during the mating season?

Nice! Blue jays need sticks and twigs to build their nests. If you keep some nearby, you will aid them in the building process so the nest is ready for their eggs. This will also make blue jays more likely to remain in the area. Read on for another quiz question.

Definitely not! You should not to move the blue jays' nest during the mating season. Besides, blue jays actually prefer the shade, so their platform should be high up in a shady part of the tree. Try another answer...

Not exactly! Blue jays don't need extra food during the mating season. Just keep the feeders filled with their favorite treats to attract the most jays. Try again...

Nope! Blue jays often do a good job of shooing other birds away from the area themselves. They have a reputation for bullying other birds - even hawks! You don't need to worry about helping them with this! Guess again!

Community Q&A

Add New Question
  • Question
    Do blue jays eat raw apples?
    Community Answer
    They often eat pretty much anything (especially nuts!), but make sure the apple is cut up into small enough pieces.
  • Question
    Do they eat avocados?
    Community Answer
    No, never feed any bird an avocado. Avocados are one of the worst types of food to feed birds, and can be very toxic to them.
  • Question
    What should I do if I find a baby blue jay in my yard?
    Community Answer
    Unless it's threatened by another animal, leave it alone. A parent is probably nearby.
  • Question
    Do blue jays eat corn?
    Community Answer
  • Question
    Would a blue jay frighten a cardinal?
    M Mourlam
    Community Answer
    Yes. Blue jays scare away many types of smaller birds. I have personally seen blue jays scare away cardinals.
  • Question
    Is there a specific time of day that blue jays typically eat?
    Community Answer
    No, blue jays eat throughout the day.
  • Question
    Will a territorial Blue Jay attack a small child?
    Community Answer
    Maybe, it depends on the situation. I've been "buzzed" before, and I'm a large adult.
  • Question
    What colors, if any, are Blue Jays attracted to the most and are there any colors that they avoid?
    Community Answer
    There are no specific colors that Blue Jays like in particular, but something shiny will catch their eye. The best way to attract Blue Jays is with the proper type of bird food. The Blue Jays preferred food is listed in this article.
  • Question
    Can I tame a blue jay?
    Community Answer
  • Question
    Why do blue jays drink from my hummingbird feeder?
    Community Answer
    They like the sweet taste of nectar.
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Unanswered Questions
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    • If you notice that a breeding pair is setting up house on your platform, leave out a few scraps of white material, such as strips from a white sheet or towel. Blue jays will often use a shock of white on the outside of their nest for identification.

    Things You'll Need

    • Nesting platform
    • Sticks and twigs
    • Feeding platform
    • Bird feed, including peanuts
    • Birdbath and water

    Article SummaryX

    To attract blue jays, try hanging a bird feeder or peanut wreath to draw them to your yard. Then, fill the feeders with food that blue jays like, such as sunflower seeds, acorns, and suet, and keep the perch area clear so the food is easy for the birds to get to. Alternatively, create small, flat nesting platforms high off the ground, so that the blue jays can use them to build their nests away from predators. You can also place a birdbath in your yard to provide a good source of water for blue jays. For tips on how to keep other animals from stealing the birds’ food, read on!

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    Categories: Featured Articles | Attracting Birds

    In other languages:

    Español: atraer a los arrendajos azules, Italiano: Attirare la Ghiandaia Azzurra Americana, Deutsch: Blauhäher anlocken, Français: attirer les geais bleus, Русский: привлечь голубых соек, Português: Atrair Gaios Azuis

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