When a Blue Jay descends to my feeder, he might scream like a red-tailed hawk…
Humans think it rude, and it may indeed scatter smaller birds. But the birdlings should thank him for that scream, because it flushes out hawks too!
Better still, when a Jay does find a hawk near your feeder, he’s likely to mob it — summoning nearby Jays to dive-bomb and shriek bloody murder until the raptor splits the scene. Jays are wonderful parents and will risk their lives to mob hawks, falcons and even cats to protect their nests and feeding grounds.
So thank your Blue Jays for being such good watch-birds! They’re only defending their young ones, but it doesn’t matter —a feeder frequented by Jays is a safer place for every Garden Bird.
Blue Jays can also help rid your garden of insect pests you dread. Wasps are a favorite baby food, and just one Daddy Jay can clean out a wasp nest, queen and all.
Hate tent caterpillars? Jays to your rescue! A single nest of Blue Jay chicks can gobble down hundreds of these revolting wigglers and squeak for more.
Best of all, I love watching Blue Jays because they’re so freaking smart!
Too big for my suet feeder? Yes, but watch this clever one! Whenever she’s about to fall, she “backstrokes” with her wings to position her beak for more!
This brainy Jay and her mate—they pair for life—have devoured so much suet, I’ve needed to double my usual order. But they easily earn it back every day, enchanting us whenever we see them at work.
