Blue Jays at my feeders!
Blue Jay Smiling for the Camera
This year the Blue Jays appear to be a little too abundant at my feeders and it never seemed to be that way previously. I think my kitties don’t mind the stunning blue colors flashing past the window since I always find them chattering among themselves. Hmm maybe they are cussing the Blue Jays out saying “stop being so greedy”?? Greedy . . . that is an understatement and not only do they grab all the seeds but on occasion you find them stashing the seeds in different hiding places!
I think he’s waiting for me to throw more seeds out!
These Blue Jays are generally noisy and this one individual continues to mimic the Red Shouldered Hawk (can’t fool me Mr. Jay . . . I know they are not back yet)!! I half wondered if these birds were migrants but I continued to see one of the Jays with a band on its leg. Could this be one of my birds (it has been a year or two since I have banded a Jay around the house . . . . . hmm which one is it)?? Like Crows the Jays are very family oriented and just maybe the Jays family is extra large this year?? I think I have a mission in learning this birds band number!!
Notice the one is banded!
I have also noticed that the Blue Jays figured out how to collect seeds from the squirrel proof feeder!! Squirrels gave up trying ages ago but some of those big blues appear to master the method! As long as they avoid placing weight on the trap door and they will only have a chance to collect seeds if they are good at hovering!! I laugh because a few individuals are still working on getting it right!
Taking Seeds from the Feeder!
It was fun watching the Blue Jays today . . . . So how were the Jays in your yard?
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Great post and fabulous photographs! No blue jay sightings here. I loved your comment about the fake hawk screech as one stellar jay was doing that a week ago and my son Nick said, “Okay I see the jay but where is the hawk?” and I had to laugh! (The kiddos have gotten good at ID’ing birds because I make them do the counting…) The steller’s rarely feed on my feeders but as I said before are very proficient at stealing dog food. I don’t know if they eat it, hide it or just like to play with it but putting it out means they stay away from my feeders. You’d probably laugh if you saw how angry it makes my pups who seem to have a natural instinct to protect their food.
1 February 2009 at 8:23 pm
Beautiful blue jays! Those don’t look anything like the ones I’ve seen out here. There’s one who likes to eat the seeds I leave on the fence right outside my window, but he doesn’t have a crest. I love Steller’s Jays, but they live about 15 minutes from here in the redwood forests.
1 February 2009 at 9:04 pm
I’ve heard bluejays and have run to the window to see if I spot a hawk. I’m not that good with the calls. The bluejays are such a brilliant blue color that I love them at my feeders no matter how much they steal. I hope you can find out that jay’s leg band number to see if he is one that you banded. Really nice photos of the jays. I love how he figured out how to get the seeds.
1 February 2009 at 9:34 pm
My blue jays come every morning to take their stash of peanuts. Since they are so greedy I have to ration the supply. I don’t see them being as greedy with the sunflower seeds.
1 February 2009 at 9:44 pm
Great post Tom. I have several Jays and will soon be drawing them and posting my pics. The day the Hawk got the pigeon and was feasting the Blue Jays were circling above making quite a noise.
1 February 2009 at 10:40 pm
We have very few Jays in our garden. We used to have quite a few but one year the West Nile virus swept through our county killing birds and sickening people. Since then we haven’t had so many.
That first photo is perfect example of looking down your nose at someone. teee hee.
1 February 2009 at 10:41 pm
Excellent photos of the jays. I love how he is looking down toward the camera.
I too have about 4 of them who visit my yard every day. They croon up a storm and wake every body up if I am not out there w/ their peanuts by 7am. The little buggers can take 2 or 3 at a time and still want more.
1 February 2009 at 11:03 pm
@ Aullori – Thanks and those Jays sure do know how to trick people! I would love to see a Steller’s Jay one day!
@ Heather – thanks and bet you visit the Red Woods all the time!
@ Linda- I also have a few chickadees and a junco or two with bands . . will be interesting to see when I banded them also!
@ Robin – Very greedy! I don’t give mine nuts so they gorge on sunflower seeds! That and the suet!
@ Toni – Can’t wait to see your drawings! They are noisy!
@ Lisa – I know they are doing good around here, sorry to hear about the west-nile!
@ Kallen – Thanks and it might have been when I was pishing at it! Little piggies for sure!
1 February 2009 at 11:40 pm
Our jays are over-abundant at the feeders here in Central Maine, too. They bring us much joy as we watch them interact with each other. We fill in the dialog and laugh out of control.
2 February 2009 at 5:49 am
I don’t see them often at my feeders, but when they do come, it’s always three or four together. They are the “self-esteem kings” of the bird world…lol.
2 February 2009 at 6:46 am
oh another great one! I love the angle you shot this at.
2 February 2009 at 9:23 pm
I don’t have feeders out, but I have seen Blue Jays feeding in the left-over cornfields along with the wild turkeys, pheasants, and crows.
3 February 2009 at 12:18 am
I love that first bluejay photo!
For the first time ever, I actually have more cardinals than bluejays in my backyard. I counted 10 bluejays one morning, but at least 15 cardinals.
3 February 2009 at 10:35 am
I guess I’ll have to count Western Scrub Jays – we don’t get any Blue Jays. Now, I have seen as many as 3 scrubs in my yard at one time. They also love the peanuts in the shell. That’s what they come to my yard for.
4 February 2009 at 2:09 am
I know about the huge numbers of jays!
I, too, am concerned.
I first noticed them last summer–for the first time in years, in large numbers.
And the hummingbird fiasco, was a result.
I worry for the coming summer, now, too, with so many obviously living on the property.
4 February 2009 at 7:29 pm
Jays are very numerous here too – my Project FeederWatch count this week was 25!
Tom, I love that first photograph. Last week I was taking some chickadee pix from different perspectives as well.
And it’s cool to see a banded bird!
4 February 2009 at 9:07 pm