Hummingbirds are beautiful, delicate creatures that bring joy with their aerial acrobatics and glittering, iridescent plumage. However, these tiny birds face threats from predators looking for an easy snack. One of the most notorious hummingbird hunters is the bigger, louder, and more aggressive blue jay.
Blue jays use their intelligence and opportunistic nature to prey on hummingbirds. They raid hummingbird feeders, steal eggs and nestlings from nests, and ambush the little birds during flight. Understandably, people who love hummingbirds and want to support them get very distressed about blue jays attacking “their” hummers.
Why are blue jays a threat to hummingbirds?
There are a few key reasons why blue jays endanger hummingbirds:
- Blue jays are much larger than hummingbirds. Jays have big, strong beaks that can easily injure and kill the smaller hummers.
- Blue jays are omnivores and will eat almost anything, including meat. Hummingbird eggs, babies, and even adult hummers provide protein.
- Jays are smart problem-solvers. If a blue jay discovers a new source of food like a hummingbird feeder, it will keep coming back.
- Blue jays can be very aggressive and will bully hummingbirds away from food sources.
- Jays hunt cooperatively and form mixed flocks with other species. This gives them even more ability to find and ambush hummingbird prey.
Essentially, jays have the size, predatory nature, intelligence, aggression, and social tendencies that make them adept hummingbird hunters.
How do blue jays hunt hummingbirds?
Blue jays use clever techniques to hunt hummingbirds, including:
- Raiding feeders: Jays will regularly visit hummingbird feeders and scare away or even kill feeding hummers. The feeders provide a reliable source of food for jays.
- Robbing nests: Jays find hummingbird nests and steal eggs and chicks. Baby birds are easy nutrition sources for jays.
- Aerial ambush: Jays will observe hummingbird flight paths then attack the birds in midair. Hummingbirds are extremely vulnerable while feeding or in transit.
- Mimicking hawk calls: Jays have a huge vocal repertoire and can imitate the shriek of a hawk. This tricks hummingbirds into freezing in fear, allowing jays to strike.
- Sheer persistence: Jays are relentless in their efforts to snatch hummingbirds. They will come back to feeders and nest sites again and again.
Jays have many techniques to take advantage of hummingbirds, from disturbing feeders to actual predation. Their intelligence and determination make them even more dangerous to hummingbirds.
Tips for protecting hummingbirds from blue jays
If blue jays are menacing your hummingbirds, there are some steps you can take to deter jays and better protect hummers:
Use specially designed hummingbird feeders
Specialized hummingbird feeders have perches and feeding ports too small for blue jays to use. Look for feeders with the following features:
- Small, indented perches (less than 1 inch wide)
- Tiny feeding ports only big enough for hummingbird beaks
- Red color, which attracts hummingbirds but not jays
- Simple, open-cup style feeders or suspended canister feeders
This limits jay access while allowing hummingbirds to feed. Good brands include Aspects, First Nature, Perky-Pet, and Birds Choice.
Try deterrents at feeders
You can make hummingbird feeders less attractive to jays by using deterrents like these:
- Attach bright reflective tape near ports
- Hang red pepper flakes or chili pepper suet near feeders
- Use nipple or bee guards over feeder ports
- Coat feeder perches with vegetable oil to make them slippery
- Install a plastic owl or snake near feeders to scare jays
The goal is making the feeder unpleasant, uncomfortable, or intimidating for jays but not affecting hummingbirds.
Provide separate jay feeders
Put up cheap tube feeders with large perches and ports and fill them with peanuts, sunflower seeds, corn, and other foods jays enjoy. Place these well away from hummingbird feeders. This gives jays an alternative food source.
Protect hummingbird nests
Hummingbirds are very vulnerable while nesting. To protect nests:
- Hide nests by planting dense shrubs and trees around them
- Hang strips of aluminum foil orCDs near nests to scare jays with reflections
- Attach mesh nest cages or guards to help shield nests
- Consider moving nests away from areas frequented by jays
Adjust feeding schedules
Jays are early risers, so avoid filling feeders first thing in the morning when jays are most active. Feed hummingbirds in late morning and early evening instead.
Block jay perching spots
Jays like to perch in trees and posts overlooking feeders and nest sites so they can spot targets. Cut back branches and remove perches to make it harder for jays to observe.
Use feeder moats
A moat is a water-filled circular tray suspended around a feeder’s hanging wire. The water deters jays from landing on feeders. Make sure moats have an easy escape route so hummingbirds don’t become trapped.
Scare or spray jays
Use loud sounds, water sprayers, or even chase jays away by hand. They will eventually associate negative experiences with your yard and avoid it.
Limit food waste and trash
Always promptly clean up fallen seed shells, spoiled nectar, and other food debris that could attract jays. Use covered outdoor trash bins too.
Add backyard shelters
Give hummingbirds hiding places to escape jays. Add dense, thorny shrubs and trees or small structures with 1″ openings that only hummingbirds can fit through.
When hummers and jays naturally coexist
In many habitats, hummingbirds and blue jays have coexisted for ages. Jays opportunistically prey on hummingbirds but don’t significantly impact overall populations. Some predation is a natural part of ecosystems.
However, habitat loss exacerbates conflicts. As human development encroaches, hummingbirds cluster in yards while jays adapt to take advantage. Providing quality habitat away from feeders and nests can help reduce unnatural concentrations.
Additionally, ample natural food sources make jays less likely to target hummingbird feeders. Planting native fruits, berries, nuts, and seeds encourages jays to feed there instead.
With some thoughtful modifications, you can have both beautiful blue jays and lively hummingbirds visiting your yard safely.
Key tips summary
Here are the key tips for protecting hummingbirds from jays in a quick, condensed list:
- Use specialized feeders made just for hummingbirds
- Add feeder deterrents like chili pepper or sticky substances
- Provide separate food sources for blue jays away from hummer areas
- Shield and hide hummingbird nests
- Adjust when you fill feeders to avoid peak jay activity
- Eliminate jay perches overlooking feeders/nests
- Install feeder moats as barriers
- Actively scare jays away from feeders and nests
- Promptly clean up fallen food debris
- Add small shelters only hummers can access
Frequently asked questions
Why are there suddenly blue jays dive bombing my hummingbirds?
If jays have recently started ambushing your yard hummers, they likely discovered a new food source like your feeder. Jays quickly learn to exploit new opportunities. Deterring them quickly with the steps above can break the habit.
Will killing blue jays help protect my hummingbirds?
No, killing jays is illegal and unethical. New jays will keep coming. Instead focus on adding deterrents and modifying habitat to make your yard less attractive to jays.
Is it okay to have blue jay feeders near hummingbird feeders?
No, keep blue jay feeders as far away from hummingbirds as possible – at least 20-30 feet. You want jays focused on the their own feeders, not the hummingbird ones.
Do I have to take down my hummingbird feeders completely?
Probably not! With some adjustments, you can usually find a good balance. Only take down feeders temporarily if attacks are extreme.
Will foil strips or CDs harm my hummingbirds?
The reflections shouldn’t harm hummingbirds as long as they are spaced well away from the actual feeder ports. Hummers will learn to avoid the deterrents.
Conclusion
Blue jays can be a threat to our beloved, delicate hummingbirds. But with smart feeder choices, deterrents, habitat modifications, and conscious action, we can help provide a safe backyard environment.
The key is making jays feel uncomfortable at feeders and nests through small obstructions, irritants, and startle devices. At the same time, provide jays their own alternative food sources away from hummers.
With some effort, we can preserve the aerial dances of hummingbirds and the flash of blue jay feathers too.
