How to Get Rid of Blue Jays at Bird Feeders

Tips to Get Rid of Blue Jays

Courtesy Pam Garcia

Yes, they’re beautiful and recognizable, but blue jays are known for causing a ruckus at feeders. They are exceptionally smart, so it’s not easy to trick them with fancy jay-proof feeders. The best bet for how to get rid of blue jays is to give them space and a feeder of their own. Serve peanuts in a feeder or put sunflower seeds in a large hopper feeder in an isolated area.

“I call blue jays ‘beautiful bully birds’ because they can empty a peanut feeder in less than an hour. I use a caged peanut feeder to allow only smaller birds, like chickadees, nuthatches and downy woodpeckers, to feed. The jays get their own cage-free peanut feeder,” says Deanna Frautschi, Bloomington, Illinois.

Another tip to get rid of blue jays is to feed nyjer thistle seed. Blue jays, like lot of bully birds, tend to leave this seed alone, but finches love it.

Learn how to get rid of blackbirds and grackles at feeders.

Blue Jays: Friend or Foe?

Courtesy John Pizniur

Readers sound off on the vibrant blue birds that sometimes cause a ruckus.

Even though they are kind of rowdy, I enjoy putting peanuts out for them. And blue is my favorite color! Karen Larsen, Viborg, South Dakota

Foe! They are aggressive and gobble up the birdseed in every feeder. Terri Heacock, Fairview, North Carolina

Courtesy John Piznuir

Blue jays don’t play well with others, but it’s fun to watch them pick up peanuts still in the shell and lay them back down, as if they are deciding which one has the most payload. Jeff Vriezema , Wyoming, Michigan

Starlings, grackles, blue jays and the odd magpie come to my feeders and also stop for water. Instead of discouraging them, I spread several feeders full of different types of seed around the backyard. Ken Orich, Lethbridge, Alberta.

Courtesy Linda Taylor

I love blue jays and their obnoxious screech. Jannetta Tibbs, Albany, Oregon

Definitely friends. Every morning the jays wait for our blinds to open. They know their treat of sunflower seeds and peanuts will arrive soon on our deck. Daphne Johnson, Niagara Falls, Ontario

We try to accommodate all of the birds, but it seems that in different circumstances any bird can be a bully! My mourning doves are the bullies of the tray feeder. And I’ve even seen a titmouse chase Carolina wrens from the mealworms. Boni Trombetta, West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Next, meet 8 types of jays you should know.