How to Attract Blue Jay to Your Yard

It’s hard to miss a Blue Jay. With their striking blue feathers, prominent crest, and bold, clever personality, they are one of the most exciting birds to see in a backyard. If you want to invite these beautiful and intelligent birds to visit, it’s easier than you think.

Understanding Their Big Personality

Before you set out the welcome mat, it helps to know that Blue Jays are more than just a pretty face. They are part of the corvid family, related to crows and ravens, which means they are incredibly smart. You'll notice this in their behavior—from their clownish antics to their complex social calls. They can be loud and a bit bossy, but this is often just their way of communicating, warning of predators, or protecting their territory. This intelligence is also why they are famous for caching food, carefully selecting the best nuts and hiding them to eat later. Watching them isn't just feeding a bird; it's observing a truly clever animal in action.

Food: The Key to a Blue Jay's Heart

Blue Jays have hearty appetites, and the quickest way to attract them is with their favorite foods.

• Peanuts are #1: The absolute favorite food for a Blue Jay is the peanut. They love them in any form—whole, still in the shell, or already shelled. It’s fun to watch them grab a few at a time, stuff them into their throat pouch, and fly off to hide their treasure for later.
• Other Favorites: Besides peanuts, jays are also happy to eat suet, sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and acorns. If you have oak trees nearby, you’re already providing a natural food source they love.
• The Right Feeder: Blue Jays are large birds, so they prefer sturdy, open feeders where they can comfortably land. Tray or platform feeders are perfect. You can also use special feeders designed just for whole peanuts, like a peanut wreath or mesh feeder. They tend to avoid small, hanging tube feeders that are better suited for smaller birds.(buy our feeder here)

Because they can be a bit bossy and might scare smaller birds away, a great strategy is to set up a dedicated "Blue Jay feeder" with peanuts a little distance away from your other feeders.

Water for Drinking and Bathing

Like all birds, Blue Jays need a reliable source of fresh, clean water. They are known to be enthusiastic bathers and will happily splash around in a bird bath.

Choose a bath with a wide, shallow basin. Because they splash so much, you may need to check the water level often. In the winter, a heated bird bath is a fantastic way to keep them visiting when other water sources are frozen.

Shelter and Nesting Sites

Blue Jays need to feel safe to stick around.

• Trees are Essential: They prefer yards with mature trees, both leafy and evergreen, which provide cover from predators and the elements year-round.
• Nesting Spots: These birds build their cup-shaped nests in the forks of tree branches, usually 10-20 feet off the ground. They are very protective of their nests. While they won't use a typical birdhouse, they may be encouraged to nest nearby if you install a nesting shelf on a tree or the side of a garage.

By simply offering their favorite foods, providing a source of water, and ensuring there’s some safe tree cover, you’ll create a welcoming space for these smart and vibrant birds. Enjoy watching their playful antics in your yard