Blue Jays (scientifically known as Cyanocitta cristata) are bold and beautiful birds that can add a lot of character to your backyard. They are native to eastern North America and are known for their vibrant blue plumage, distinctive crest, and loud calls. You might be surprised to know that they are actually members of the Corvidae family, which also includes crows and ravens.

Blue Jays are known for their intelligence and adaptability. They are skilled mimics, capable of imitating the calls of other birds, including hawks. Their complex social interactions and territorial displays provide endless fascination for birdwatchers. But they are much more than just beautiful and entertaining; they play a crucial role in seed dispersal, particularly for oak trees. Their habit of burying acorns contributes to forest regeneration.   

In various cultures, Blue Jays are associated with intelligence and wisdom, communication, and clarity. A true icon of North America, they are found from southern Canada, throughout the eastern and central United States, and south to Florida and northeastern Texas. The western edge of their range generally stops around the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains. However, that area has been expanding northwestward, with increasing sightings in the Pacific Northwest.   

Blue Jays prefer deciduous and mixed forests, particularly those with oak and beech trees. They are also very adaptable and commonly found in suburban areas, parks, and backyards. So, how do you attract them to your garden or backyard?

Best Food for Attracting Blue Jays

Offering food to attract Blue Jays is a great way to start. Here are some of the best foods you can offer. 

Photo by Frank Schulenburg

Peanuts

Blue Jays love peanuts, especially those in the shell. Offering them whole peanuts is a great way to attract and entertain them. Peanuts are rich in fats and proteins, which are essential for Blue Jays, especially during the colder months when they need to maintain their energy levels. So this high-energy food source is very beneficial.

Blue Jays, like many corvids, have a habit of caching or storing food for later consumption. Peanuts, especially those in the shell, are ideal for this behavior as they can easily carry them away and bury them for future meals.   

Sunflower Seeds

Black oil sunflower seeds are another favorite. Use platform feeders or hopper feeders to accommodate their size. These seeds are rich in fats and oils, providing birds with a concentrated source of energy. This is especially important during cold weather or migration when birds need to maintain high energy levels.   

They also contain essential nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, and minerals, contributing to the overall health and well-being of Blue Jays. These robust birds have strong beaks that are well-suited for cracking open sunflower seed shells so they can efficiently access the nutritious kernel inside.   

Acorns

If you have oak trees nearby, you’re already providing a natural food source. You can also supplement by gathering acorns and placing them in feeders. Acorns are a rich source of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, providing essential energy for Blue Jays, especially during the fall and winter months. This makes them a valuable food source when other food options may be scarce.

Suet

Suet is made from animal fats and so provides essential energy to the jay, particularly during colder months, when birds need extra energy to maintain their body temperature. It’s also beneficial during breeding season when birds need energy to raise their young. Suet balls bought from a store often contain added ingredients like seeds, nuts, and berries, which provide additional nutrients that Blue Jays need.

Photo by Paul Danese

Feeders and Feeding

Blue Jays are relatively large birds, and they need ample space to perch and feed comfortably. The best feeders allow multiple Blue Jays to feed at once, which is beneficial since they often travel in groups.   

Blue Jays enjoy a variety of foods, including seeds, nuts, and corn. Platform feeders can hold a wide range of these food items.   

Peanut Feeders

Specialized peanut feeders, such as “peanut hut” feeders or those with wire mesh, are ideal for Blue Jays. These feeders allow them to easily extract the peanuts. You can also use platform feeders or simply scatter peanuts on the ground, though this may attract other animals as well.

Hopper Feeders

Blue Jays are relatively large birds, and hopper feeders typically offer ample space for them to perch and feed comfortably. They also hold a significant amount of seed, which is beneficial since Blue Jays have hearty appetites. Hopper feeders can accommodate a wide variety of seeds, including sunflower seeds, peanuts, and cracked corn, all of which are favorites of Blue Jays. Offering a mix of foods will increase your chances of attracting them.

Water

Like most birds, Blue Jays need access to fresh water for both drinking and bathing. Bird baths provide a convenient source. They are known to be quite vigorous bathers, so they’ll often splash around enthusiastically, which, of course, is great to watch.  

Providing a bird bath can be a great way to attract Blue Jays to your yard, even if they don’t frequent your feeders as often. A broad, shallow basin is ideal. 2-3 inches of water depth is usually sufficient. Adding a dripper or wiggler can help attract Blue Jays, as they are drawn to the sight and sound of moving water.

It’s important to keep bird baths clean to prevent the spread of disease. In colder climates, a heated bird bath can provide a vital water source during freezing temperatures.

Photo by Jim Ridley

Habitat

Blue Jays prefer areas with mature trees, especially oak trees. These provide food, shelter, and nesting sites. Oak trees produce acorns, which are a primary food source for Blue Jays, especially in the fall and winter. Acorns are rich in nutrients and provide essential energy.   

Blue Jays play a crucial role in dispersing oak tree seeds. They gather acorns and bury them in the ground for later consumption. Often, some of these buried acorns are forgotten, and they germinate and grow into new oak trees. Blue Jays are also very good at selecting viable acorns to cache, increasing the odds of those acorns growing. Unlike squirrels, which tend to bury acorns close to the parent tree, Blue Jays can carry them over longer distances. This helps to spread oak trees across a wider area.   

In essence, Blue Jays rely on oak trees for food, and oak trees rely on Blue Jays for seed dispersal. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship that has shaped the ecology of eastern North American forests.

But it is not only oak trees that Blue Jays love. Beech and hazel trees also produce nuts that Blue Jays readily consume. In certain regions, these trees play a significant role in the diet. Trees like pines, spruces, and cedars provide important shelter and nesting sites for Blue Jays. These trees also offer protection from predators and harsh weather conditions.

Blue Jays will also consume fruits and berries from various shrubs and trees. So, any plant producing berries is likely to attract them. 

Final Thoughts

Blue Jays are adaptable and take advantage of diverse food sources. Their preferences include nut-producing trees, coniferous trees for shelter, and fruit-bearing plants. By providing their favorite foods, water, and a suitable habitat, you can enjoy the vibrant presence of Blue Jays in your backyard.