![]() ![]() On April 28, 2010, more than 4,000 jays were spotted flying south over Fort Smallwood Park during a hawk watch. We also have migrants from the north in the winter. Maryland has a mostly resident year-round population, but large numbers migrate south in winter. Some people dislike them for their aggressive ways, calling them the bullies of the bird feeder. They are more abundant near forest edges than in deep forest and are common in urban and suburban residential areas, especially where oaks or bird feeders are found.Īt the bird feeder, the bright colors and bold personalities of blue jays make them a delight to watch. They can hammer their beak loudly on a perch when caught in a trap or when nestlings are stolen from a nest.īlue jays are found in all kinds of forests but especially near oak trees, where they dine on acorns. Blue jays might snap their bills in intense aggressive displays. When a jay squawks, the crest is virtually always held up. The higher the crest, the higher the bird’s aggression level. When incubating, feeding nestlings or associating with family or flock mates, the crest is held down - the lower the crest, the lower the bird’s aggression level. These corvids also communicate with one another with body language, using their crest. Smaller birds often recognize this call and hide. The blue jay can be beneficial to other bird species as they chase predatory birds, such as hawks and owls, and will screech if sighting a predator within its territory. Researchers believe they also do this to warn other jays in their family and flock that danger is near. This trait is used to scare off other birds at feeders so they can get to the food for themselves. In the wild, they often mimic red-shouldered and red-tailed hawks. Captive jays can imitate human speech and meowing cats. Jays discovered a workaround - carefully rubbing the insect on their feathers to remove the bitter-tasting acid before dining.īlue jays are excellent mimics. Unlike many other songbirds, blue jays have learned how to eat ants by overcoming ant defense systems - a gland releasing noxious formic acid covering their bodies. Their fondness for acorns and their accuracy in selecting and burying acorns that have not been infested with weevils is credited with spreading oak trees after the last glacial period. One autumn study found jays cached from 3,000 to 5,000 acorns. They carry food in their throat and upper esophagus - a “gular pouch” - and can store three acorns in the pouch, another in their mouth, and a fifth in the tip of the bill. Only 1% had traces of bird eggs or nestlings.īlue jays hold food items in their feet while pecking them open. Stomach contents over one year showed 22% insects with acorns, nuts, fruits and grains making up nearly all the remaining food. To draw a crowd of birds, try feeding Sunflower Hearts versus Black Oil Sunflower so they don't have to mess with the hull, or you can try putting some seed in the tray or peanut butter on the holes to further entice the birds to work for their dinner.They often dine at feeders. The benefit being that it is worth it because when the birds can't eat from feeders unprotected from the weather, they WILL be able to eat from the All Weather Feeder. This feeder will be more popular amongst the birds if it is not hung near a cluster of other feeders because unlike other feeders which let the elements in, it is also not as easy for the birds to eat from. A clean feeder helps keep the bird population healthy. Comes completely apart so each piece can be individually cleaned. The circular perch lets you see all the birds that are feeding, even those on the far side. Through rain, snow, sleet and ice, the All Weather Feeder delivers the seed DRY!! Won't clog up with snow and ice. The All Weather 4 Quart Clear Feeder is the first weatherproof wild bird feeder. ![]()
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