How to attract blue jays to your yard, according to experts

Did you know that while all blue jays are technically blue birds, not all blue birds are blue jays? The blue jay is a specific species of bird (Cyanocitta cristata) known for its striking blue feathers, bold personality, and loud, unmistakable calls. These clever and curious feathered creatures have enthralled many a birdwatchers for generations, and it's easy to see why!

If blue jays live in your area, they may already be passing through your neighborhood without you knowing it as they may be skipping your yard. So what attracts blue jays, and how can you make your outdoor space more appealing to these colorful backyard birds?

Fortunately, we can help you with that! With the help of Bob Mulvihill, the lead ornithologist at the National Aviary, and Maria Kincaid, ornithology research specialist for FeatherSnap, we've uncovered a few expert-backed tips and tricks that are sure to draw blue jays to your yard. Once you do, you’ll be well on your way to creating a bird destination that brings in these beauties for years to come and you can essentially befriend these birds.

Are Blue Jays Good to Have in Your Yard?

While blue jays are known for their big personalities, these pretty birds can actually bring some surprising benefits to your yard. "Blue jays are a common, large songbird that are best known for their striking blue color, large crests, and loud, noisy calls," describes Kincaid. "They’re regular inhabitants of residential areas, especially with large trees, as their native habitat is mixed forests and woodlands in the eastern and central parts of the United States. Blue jays are intelligent and have complex social structures, making them interesting to watch and often a delight to have in your yard."

As colorful and charismatic as blue jays are, there is one thing you should keep in mind before making a concerted effort to attract them: they are a very bossy and loud bunch of birds! However, that can also come in handy as blue jays can help warn other birds of predators, helping keep potential threats away, as their loud calls can serve as an early warning system for many animals in the area. Because of this, they play an important role when it comes to your backyard ecosystem.

"Blue jays also benefit other songbirds by being vigilant in detecting potential predators, even aggressively driving them away from an area," Mulvihill explains. "They will mob and vigorously chase hawks, owls, cats, foxes, and even snakes!"

Like all wild birds, blue jays are simply following their natural behaviors. By providing a welcoming habitat with food, water, and shelter, you can enjoy watching these fascinating birds while supporting a healthier backyard environment.

What Attracts Blue Jays to Your Yard?

Want to make your yard more appealing to blue jays? Generally speaking, blue jays want the same thing as every other wild bird. However, Mulvihill points out three specific things one can do to create a blue jay-friendly backyard for these passerby passerines!

Feed Blue Jays Their Favorite Food: Peanuts

What's the best food for blue jays? According to Mulvihill, it’s hard to beat peanuts. "The way to a blue jay’s heart is simple...peanuts!" he exclaims. "Whole roasted unsalted peanuts in the shell are their favorite! They will carry off one or two at a time and go cache hide them for later, so a lot of peanuts can disappear very quickly!"

If you’re wondering how to attract blue jays to a bird feeder, you can set up a feeder filled with nuts, but you don’t need anything elaborate. Mulvihill says simply scattering unsalted peanuts on your lawn, patio, or deck can be enough to catch a blue jay’s attention.

Don’t be discouraged if squirrels and chipmunks find the peanuts before the blue jays do. Mulvihill assures us that it's all part of the process. "It may take a while before your local blue jays find your peanut offerings, but squirrels and chipmunks will find it quickly. Their increased activity will soon catch the eye of any passing blue jays and tip them off to the new peanut restaurant in the neighborhood!"

Whole unsalted peanuts are a great snack for backyard birdwatchers to have around, even if you're not solely intent on drawing in blue jays. Mulvihill adds that peanuts are also excellent for attracting cardinals, woodpeckers, and even tufted titmice, that is, if they can beat the blue jays to them!

Plant Oak Trees to Attract Blue Jays Naturally

If there's one thing blue jays love more than peanuts, it's acorns, and if you want acorns, you've gotta have oak trees. These trees provide blue jays with two things they naturally seek out: a reliable food source and a place to perch, nest, and take shelter.

Granted, it can take up to several decades before an oak tree matures enough to start producing acorns (though the exact timeline varies by species). However, if you've found your forever home, maybe it's time to introduce some oak trees to your yard or to nurture any oaks already growing there so you can make your property much more appealing to blue jays.

"In a backyard setting, mature oak trees are very desirable to blue jays for the foliage and for the acorn crop they produce," vouches Mulvihill. "So if you don’t already have one growing, then plant at least one ASAP!"

Provide Fresh Water for Blue Jays

What's another simple way to encourage blue jays to visit your yard? "Blue jays (like most birds) really appreciate a reliable source of fresh, clean water for drinking and bathing," says Mulvihill. "Offer your birds an inviting source of clean water in a bird bath placed near taller trees for a little shading and convenient perching, and just like your bird feeders, always place your bird bath in a spot where you have a good view of it and all the birds that come to use it."

Remember, blue jays are larger than many of the other songbirds you'll see stopping by, so they need a big bird bath. You don't want it to be very deep (no more than 2 inches at most), but you do want it to be pretty wide and sturdy with a minimum diameter of 12 inches to ensure that big birds like blue jays don't splash all the water out of the basin in one go!

Aside from getting the proper size, make sure that you frequently replace the water and clean the bath regularly. Especially in hot weather, dangerous bacteria can quickly take over a dirty bath and ward off any potential visitors from bathing. Better yet, invest in a moving water feature that will keep the water from going stagnant!

Why Aren't Blue Jays Visiting Your Yard?

You’ve added a bird feeder, put out fresh water, and created a more welcoming space, but where are the blue jays? Like all wild birds, blue jays will visit yards that provide what they need most. So, if your yard is lacking these essentials, blue jays may simply have no reason to stop by.

However, the issue may not only be what your yard is missing. Instead, it could also be what is keeping birds away. Therefore, even if uour yard is shady, scattered with delicious peanuts and acorns, and full of fresh water features, it may still be overlooked if it feels unsafe. If potential predators are lurking nearby, or there's lots of foot/vehicular traffic causing noise and chaos, then the birds can be more cautious about visiting.

Afterall, although blue jays are bold and confident birds, they still prefer spaces where they can feed, rest, and explore without feeling threatened. That's why creating a calm, bird-friendly environment can make your backyard attractive to blue jays.

What Is the Best Time of Year to Attract Blue Jays?

Blue jays have a wide habitat range that encompasses much of the United States and southern Canada (though they're the most prevalent in the eastern half of the continent). The good news is that most people living within their habitat range don't have to wait for a specific time of year to see these beautiful birds!

"Blue jays are largely resident throughout their range as some populations do migrate, but it’s pretty poorly understood, and there are generally some individuals in all parts of their range year-round," Kincaid addresses. "That means it’s always a good time to work on attracting jays to your yard! Plant natives in the spring or fall to get them ready for upcoming years, and hang feeders in the winter to supplement native food sources. No matter the time of year, listen for the loud calls of blue jays and watch for that flash of color."

Sources:

• Robert Mulvihill, National Aviary
• Maria Kincaid, ornithology research specialist for FeatherSnap