Facts About Baby Blue Jays

November 17, 2020 by 2 Comments

Today, I’m sharing backyard bird tips on baby blue jays.  I have a flock of beautiful blue jays that come to my feeders.  If my feeders are empty, they let me know with their Call, Call, Call sound.  I offer them whole shelled peanuts, peanut chips and black oil sunflower seeds.  The peanuts is their food of choice for blue jays.

It’s hard to distinguish the male blue jay from the female, they look identical.  They only way to truly figure out the identity is to watch the nest.  Unfortunately, I haven’t been that lucky.  My blue jays nest away from my house so using a cam to record their activities or physically watch them is not an option.  However, I have 6 that visit regularly.  When one checks out the feeder and it’s filled, they call to the others in their flock.  They descent on the feeder in minutes.  Blue jays mate for life.  As a result, I’m assuming they’re couples.

baby blue birds

 

Facts about Baby Blue Jays

 

  • Blue jays lay 2 – 7 eggs in their clutch.  However, the usual clutch is 4 or 5 eggs.  The eggs are blue or brown with speckles.  Blue Jays breed from March to July, and they have one brood a year. Females incubate the eggs while the male retrieves food.  The male will continue to retrieve food 8 – 12 days after the eggs have hatched for both mom and babies.
  • Once the babies are able to leave the nest, the brood will leave together.  This takes place when the babies are around 17 – 21 days old.  Mom will encourage them to leave the nest. Babies who have recently left the nest are called fledglings.  The Blue Jay fledglings leave the nest before they can fly. Once the babies leave the nest, it doesn’t return.

 

blue jay babies

 

 

 

  • Are you wondering how they get out of the nest if they can’t fly?  They flop out of the nest and land below it.  Some move to nearby branches to lower themselves to the ground.  On the second or third day, they may move about 50  – 75 feet away from the nest.  During this time they are growing and learning.  Furthermore, the parents are nearby to protect the babies from predators and to feed them until they learn to fly and fend for themselves.  So, if you see a baby bird leave it unless it’s hurt.  Mom and dad are watching.
  • A baby blue jay will learn everything it needs to survive while it is a fledgling.  This usually take about 5 days.  It will grow the necessary feathers to help them fly, they will learn how to feed themselves and they will do it all with mom and dad nearby.
  • Mom will lead blue jay babies to a safe place at night to ensure they are out of the purview of predators.  This is usually under a bush, in a bush or in grass.  Mom and dad are always nearby.
  • Unfortunately, cats are the biggest threat to baby blue jays.  However, the parents will attack cats, humans or any other thing they believe are a threat to their young.

 

baby blue jays

 

  • Baby Blue Jays will stay around the nest and mom for a few months before truly venturing off on their own.  The following year, they will find their mate for life and produce a brood of their own.

 

I hope your found our baby blue jay facts insightful.  Be sure to check on my Unique Facts about Blue Jays and Blue Jay Facts for Kids.  

 

Filed Under: Backyard Birds Tagged With: , , ,

Interesting Blue Jay Facts for Kids

November 16, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on blue jay facts for kids.  Winter is approaching, and it’s a great time to starting thinking about indoor activities for your kids.  One activity that I recommend is bird watching.  It’s a great way for children to learn about our feathered friends and nature.  Observing birds through a window is a great winter activity.  And, it works for rainy and snowy days too. Simply place a feeder where they can enjoy the view and backyard birds retrieving treats.

Our feathered friends today are the blue jays.  Blue Jays are large, blue, white and black birds that love grabbing treats from backyard bird feeders.  If you provide the right treats, you can keep them coming back forever.  They are highly intelligent, and will remember where you buffet is located.  Kids will love watching them grab more and more of your delicious offerings.  Furthermore, kids can learn a little about these majestic birds and nature.

 

blue jay facts for kids

 

Blue Jay Facts for Kids:

  • Love peanuts, cracked corn and sunflower seeds
  • Drink from bird baths
  • Carry food in their throat
  • Relatives of Crows
  • Highly Intelligent
  • Prefer platform or hopper feeders
  • Stores acorns in the ground
  • Lay 2 – 7 eggs, which is called a clutch
  • Their babies are called a brood
  • Lifespan is 7 years
  • Feathers are actually brown, but look blue in the sunlight

 

 


Note:  I am an Amazon Associate. If you click on a product or make a purchase I may be compensated.  However, there will be no cost to you.

 

 

 

 

Blue Jay activities for kids

 

 

 

blue jay facts

 

 

 

After observing the Blue Jays, have a little fun with my Blue Jay Facts for Kids activity sheets.   The pack includes a coloring page, connect the dot, facts list, fill in the blank sheet and research suggestions.  They are a great way to re-enforce what your kids have learned about Blue Jays.  Or, make it a part of your home school or extra homework curriculum.  You can download the activity pack here.

 

 

blue jay facts for kids

 

Finally, check out my research suggestions.  The kids can Google Blue Jays and study the blue or brown speckled eggs.  How about researching how they build their nest.  What materials are used and how they shape the nest.  Better yet, let them pick out a feeder for their new feathered friends.

 

Filed Under: Education, Entertainment Tagged With: , , ,

How to Clean Bird Feeders

November 5, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing backyard bird tips on how to clean bird feeders.  Keeping your feeders clean is as important as the food you offer our feathered friends.  Leaving feeders up for months without cleaning them could cause mold and fungus, which leaves to disease.  Feeders should be cleaned at least once a month, twice a month is even better. Clumps of food is a sign that moisture penetrated your feeder.  Moist food can lead to mold and fungus.

I have several feeders that I use at my feeding station.  I always keep several feeders that are clean so I can replace those that need to be cleaned with the sanitized feeders.  As a result, my feathered friends can continue to enjoy their buffet.  You always want your feeders to be stocked; otherwise, your birds will go elsewhere for food.

If you’re a beginner bird watcher and feeder, you may be wondering how to clean your bird feeders.  No worries, I’ll give all the information you need below.

 

how to clean bird feeders

 

How to Clean Bird Feeders:

 

Rinse Feeders

  •  Make sure your feeders are empty before you start cleaning them.  So, you’re first step is to remove any seed and dispose of it in a trash bag.  Next, place the bag of seed in a sealed garbage can.  Otherwise, you can attract unwanted critters if you just leave the seed in your yard. Spray your feeders gently with a water hose to dislodge any seeds and debris.  Don’t use a full force water spray on your feeders.  It could damage the feeder or parts on the feeders.  Additionally, I wear gloves when cleaning my feeders.  I suggest you wear them too during the cleaning process.

 

 

how to clean bird feeders

 

 

Soak Feeders

  • Next, soak feeders in hot, soapy water.  I use water as hot as I can get to soak my feeders in along with Dawn dish washing liquid.  A 5 gallon bucket from Lowes works great for soaking feeders.  You can perform this task in your garage, driveway, patio or deck on a nice sunny day.  Also, immerge your feeders for at least 15 – 20 minutes.  Once they’ve soaked for 15 – 20 minutes, scrub them from top to bottom with a stiff brush.  You want to make sure you get into the crevices as well as the inside of the feeder to remove mold, fungus, and debris.  Use a bottle brush for tube feeders.  Using a bottle brush versus a scrub brush will make your cleaning endeavor easier.  Trust me.

 

Disinfect Feeders

  • Last, disinfect your feeders.  I use white vinegar and water to disinfectant my feeders.  White vinegar is a staple in my home.  I use it to clean my shower doors and for other cleaning jobs.  Bleach is harsh on the metals and/or plastic in my opinion.  So, I use vinegar and water to disinfect.   I simply use a spray bottle with a 50/50 solution of the water and vinegar.  Cover the feeders with the solution.  After covering the feeder with the water and vinegar solution, I use a rag to wipe the solution over the feeders.  I keep old towels cut into rags, and they work great.  Rinse your feeders thoroughly with clear water.

 

Air Dry Feeders

Last, allow your feeders to air dry in a dry spot overnight.  They will be clean, sanitary and ready to be used at your next birdseed buffet.

 

Finally, if you’re going to help feed our feathered friends, please ensure your feeders are clean and well maintained.  My cleaning tips will help ensure your feeders are welcoming.

 

Filed Under: Backyard Birds Tagged With: , ,

Backyard Birds That Love Suet

October 16, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing a few birding tips on backyard birds that love suet. Cold weather is around the corner.  Not all backyard birds migrate to warmer climates, so they will need help keeping warm and finding food.  One of the ways that you can help is offer foods that will keep them warm and fill their little tummies.   And, how you can help our feathered friends through the cold, winter months.

 

Backyard Bird Suet

 

 

First, here’s a list of backyard birds that love suet:

 

Woodpeckers

  • Downy Woodpeckers
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Northern Flicker
  • Pileated Woodpecker
  • Red-Bellied Woodpecker
  • Red-Headed Woodpecker

Small Birds

  • Black-Capped Chickadee
  • Carolina Wren
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Nuthatch
  • White-Breasted Nuthatch
  • Red-Breasted Nuthatch

 

Large Birds

  • Black-Headed Grosbeak
  • Brown Thrasher
  • Gray Catbird
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Northern Mockingbird
  • Blue Jays
  • Red-Winged Blackbird

 

 

birds that eat suet

 

 

 

This list is not all inclusive.  So, check the bird list for your area.  I live in West Virginia in Zone 6B.  Birds that are native to West Virginia may not be native to your state.  Last winter, I had a Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Red-winged Blackbird, Catbird and Mockingbird at the feeders daily.  I can tell you that the Woodpeckers and Mockingbirds devoured the suet.

You can purchase suet cakes or make your own.  I do both; however, I prefer making my own suet.  You can purchase suet cakes in a variety of flavors including peanut, apple snack, cherry crunch, zesty orange, beef suet and more.

 


 

 

 

Also, I make Bacon Birdseed Cookies.  So, be sure to check out the recipe. You can use bacon grease, rendered beef from your local grocery store, melted beef fat from roast etc.  It’s a fun project to make with these kids this winter.  You can hang these cookies in a tree or place in a dish.  Let the kids observe the birds enjoying their treat.

 

 

 


 

Start saving your fat/grease from your meals and start feeding our feathered friends.  They will thank you for it.

 

 

Filed Under: Backyard Birds Tagged With: , ,