Blue jays are common and striking backyard birds, recognizable by their vibrant blue, black, and white plumage. Their presence often sparks interest in their feeding habits and dietary preferences. Many people wonder about the specific types of seeds that attract these intelligent birds to their feeders. Understanding what blue jays prefer to eat can help backyard enthusiasts create an inviting environment for them.
Do Blue Jays Eat Safflower Seeds?
While blue jays can consume safflower seeds, they typically do not prefer them as a primary food source. Safflower seeds have a slightly bitter taste, which makes them less appealing to blue jays compared to other seed types. Blue jays might eat safflower seeds if more desirable food options are scarce.
Some sources suggest that blue jays do eat safflower seeds and can adapt to them, especially if accustomed to sunflower seeds. Safflower is often viewed as a secondary option for blue jays, consumed when other, more favored foods are not readily available. The hard, white shell of safflower seeds may also present a challenge for some birds, though blue jays are equipped to crack them open.
Why Safflower Seeds are Popular for Feeders
Safflower seeds are popular for feeders because they deter undesirable visitors. Their bitter taste is generally unappealing to squirrels, chipmunks, and larger, more aggressive birds like grackles and starlings. This allows other, more desired bird species to feed undisturbed.
Many songbirds, including northern cardinals, house finches, purple finches, tufted titmice, chickadees, and mourning doves, readily consume safflower seeds. Northern cardinals, for instance, are particularly fond of them. Offering safflower seeds attracts these species while discouraging common feeder pests and bully birds.
Preferred Foods for Blue Jays
Blue jays are omnivorous, consuming a diverse range of plant and animal matter, with plant-based foods making up to 75% of their diet, and even more so in winter. Peanuts are among their most favored foods, whether shelled or unshelled, and they are known to cache them for later consumption. Blue jays often collect several peanuts at once, storing them in a throat pouch before flying off to hide their bounty.
Acorns are another significant component of a blue jay’s natural diet, especially in areas with oak trees. They play a role in dispersing oak trees by burying acorns, some of which later sprout. Black oil sunflower seeds are also highly attractive to blue jays due to their high oil content and thinner shells, which provide energy and nutrients. Additionally, corn, suet, mealworms, and natural sources like berries and insects, such as caterpillars, beetles, and grasshoppers, are part of their varied diet.
Attracting Blue Jays to Your Yard
To successfully attract blue jays, providing appropriate feeder types is important for these larger birds. Platform feeders and large hopper feeders are well-suited for blue jays, offering ample space for them to land and feed comfortably. Peanut feeders, especially those designed to hold whole peanuts, are also highly effective, as peanuts are a top food choice. Placing feeders 10-12 feet off the ground can also be beneficial.
Beyond food, access to fresh water is also appealing to blue jays. Bird baths with a broad basin, around 2-3 inches deep, provide space for both drinking and bathing. A heated bird bath can be particularly beneficial during colder months to ensure a consistent water source. Providing natural cover, such as mature trees and dense shrubs, offers safe perching spots and potential nesting sites, making the yard more inviting for blue jays.