Attracting Jays

Many people, when noticing a Jay for the first time, wonder if something exotic has escaped from an aviary!  Jays are stunning birds with pink and grey and blue plumage, together with a jaunty black moustache.  Flamboyant with a moustache?  He could be the lead singer of a well known rock band!

Jays are birds with a reputation. Like other members of the Crow family they do sometimes take the eggs and chicks of other species – but they are also responsible for planting oak trees.  A Jay may collect up to 3000 acorns a month in the autumn, burying them for a snack later in the winter.  Many of these are never retrieved and then germinate.  We have to thank him for that.  Jays are quite shy and secretive, preferring a garden with mature trees although they are often seen on the ground.

What do Jays Eat?

As well as acorns and other tree seeds, Jays will visit low bird tables for pieces of Peanut, Suet and household scraps. They are, it seems, rather fond of toast but we think the foods here at JAB would be much better for them!

Top 3 foods for Jays:

• Im-peck-able Peanuts     5 Star
• Sunflower Power             4 Star
• The Max Mix                     3 Star