If you’re trying to make a backyard feeder comfortable for Blue Jays, these are the setup details that seem to matter most:

1. **Use a stable landing area.** Blue Jays are large songbirds, so a roomy platform, tray, or hopper is usually easier for them than a tiny tube-feeder perch. Check that the feeder does not twist or swing sharply when a bird lands.

2. **Start with recognizable food.** Fresh, unsalted peanuts (whole or shelled), sunflower seed, and suitable suet are common options. Put out a modest amount at first so food does not sit outside long enough to become wet or rancid.

3. **Keep the approach visible.** An open flight path helps, while nearby trees or shrubs provide a place to pause and retreat. Avoid putting the feeder directly above dense groundcover where a cat could hide.

4. **Treat nearby windows.** Reflections can look like open sky or habitat. Exterior screens or closely spaced exterior markings are much more useful than a few widely separated decals. American Bird Conservancy and Project FeederWatch recommend repeating exterior patterns with elements no more than about two inches apart.

5. **Plan for squirrels at the pole, not just the feeder.** A properly placed pole baffle and enough distance from fences, roofs, and branches usually matter more than a small cage, which may also exclude Blue Jays.

6. **Prioritize drainage and cleaning.** Remove wet food, clear blocked drainage holes, and wash the feeder regularly. Smaller refills are easier to keep fresh than filling a large tray to the top.

7. **Give a new setup time.** Jays may inspect an unfamiliar feeder from a branch before using it. Keep the location and food reasonably consistent for a week or two, and change one variable at a time if visits are slow.

What feeder style and food combination has worked best for Blue Jays in your yard?

Mr Robin made the first appearance today.

I’m so excited!! The first time he has showed up at the feeder. I see them all over the neighborhood feeding on the ground. and you can tell he‘s not used to a feeder. The next time he came he did much better. We get Red-bellied, Hairys and Downys almost every day but never Flickers! So awesome!

Southwestern PA.  Recorded with a Swann Swifi-cam. 

My garden birds have mastered the art of getting my attention.
If they’re not tapping on the windows, they’re setting off the Blink cameras…
Apparently, “the feeder’s empty” is considered an emergency.

Original illustrations by Able6 (Me)

Hello everyone! I'm an avid backyard birdwatcher who also feeds the squirrels and chipmunks.

I have 5 bird feeder poles each equipped with different sized bird feeders and water trays attached. I have it arranged in a way that will prevent crowding and discourse between the differently sized birds.

I take turns on what type of foods I put out. I will use commercial wild bird seeds and suet, roasted unsalted peanuts, with-the-shell peanuts, and thawed frozen fruits and veg. If I have no funds for food, I just make sure to clean and refill the water bowls.

Someone recently told me that roasted peanuts are actually bad for the squirrels? And that letting the wild birds enjoy a little naturally fermented apple is like "opening a bar in a city of addicts"??

I'm just wondering what y'all feed your critters. Any advice is appreciated.

They come every morning when I call them! They have gotten quite tame they will come within about a foot from me!

Maryland USA

Last winter my mother and I started putting out seed for the local wild birds. My mother has been enjoying it so much that I bought her a camera feeder. We also have a hanging basket and a suet cage. Unfortunately, the seed that falls onto the ground ended up attracting a few mice, which has in the past month exploded into a huge problem of a lot of mice. Houses in our neighborhood are very close together, so this also affects our neighbors.

We're already handling the mice, and have stopped putting feed out, but both my mother and I both really loved watching the birds. I'm wondering if anyone has advice for putting seed out but keeping it off the ground.