4 Best Blue Jay Feeders For An Amazing Treat

I know how adorable blue jays can be. And I’m not just saying this because I liked the blue jay character, Mordecai, from Regular Show...

The bright blue plumage of blue jays stands out among other birds in the yard. Don’t get me started on their melodic noise, well, because they are songbirds.

And they’re one of the largest songbirds too. If you’ve seen some blue jays in your area, getting them into your yard wouldn’t be a hassle.

Here’s the trick:

All you have to do is to serve their favorite treats in the right feeder. But wait a minute, they can be a little territorial. So, if you still love having other little birds around, set up a separate feeding station for them – you’re about to usher in some blue-winged visitors.

I’ll show you some of the best feeders that will do a great job of bringing blue jays into your yard, starting with our favorite Naturesroom Peanut Feeder.

The Top 4 Best Blue Jay Bird Feeders

1. Naturesroom Peanut Feeder - Best Overall

A peanut wreath is one of the best ways to attract Blue Jays. And maybe make them put up an acrobatic show while they are at it.

Here’s how it works:

The Naturesroom Peanut Feeder is like a Christmas wreath, except it’s made of a cylindrical metal grill that holds the peanuts. But flexible enough for finches and other peanut-loving birds to have some treats too.

Even though it has no rain protection, it wouldn’t be an issue since it’s just a grill. So, rainwater can’t sit in it or make the nuts grow mold.

Also, it’s metal construction can last a lifetime. It’s made of high-quality steel with a powder coat finish. And it’s proactively made chew-proof to withstand bites from squirrels.

Unlike most feeders, you’d rarely need to clean a wreath feeder. Also, refiling the feeder is a walk in the park. You only need to pour the peanuts over the top and clip the ends together.

As soon as finches find this feeder, they’ll always come back. But as I said earlier, squirrels and even larger birds also love peanuts. So, they’ll be going through the content fast, and it gets costly.

By the way, the wreath comes with a free pack of Hampton’s Farms 10oz unsalted peanuts. For the price, this feeder has a fantastic total package.

Pros

• Long-lasting steel with powder-coated finish
• Good value on price
• Comes with a free 10oz pack of unsalted peanuts

Cons

• Also a squirrel feeder
• Larger birds can empty the feeder in a day

Takeaway

The Naturesroom Peanut Wreath is an excellent option if you don’t mind squirrels visiting your feeder. It is constructed well enough to last a generation and almost requires no cleaning.

Best of all, you can serve blue jays their favorite food without breaking the bank. It also works if you ever consider throwing suet balls into the mix during the winter months.

2. Woodlink 3-in-1 Platform Feeder - Most Versatile

Almost any area can be a war zone with a platform feeder. But the good thing is, it’s a war zone between all types of birds.

That is, you won’t be attracting only Blue Jays, in fact, you’ll be attracting more than just birds to your yard. But surely, the Blue Jays will always come around.

If it helps, the Woodlink 3-in-1 Platform Feeder has a 3-pound seed capacity that would be more than enough to feed all the visitors in your yard.

The 3-in-1 platform feeder also features a large feeding platform that’s perfect for finches to land and feast on their favorite seeds.

Also, it’s versatile:

It can be hung, mounted on a pole, or just placed on the ground. Hence, its name as a “3-in-1” platform feeder.

Unlike many ground feeders, it has a removable mesh screen platform. This allows water to drain faster and prevent the seeds from going bad. And it’s easy to clean since you can easily remove it and hose it down.

The Woodlink feeder is also made to last. It’s made from reforested inland cedar that wouldn’t decay anytime soon. This feature would be particularly appealing to nature lovers, like you!

It can sit outside exposed to the elements for long because it’s recycled wood. Plus, its metal legs also help to preserve the lifespan when it’s used as a ground feeder.

Pros

• Weather-resistant recycled wood
• Removable mesh screen
• Easy to clean
• Versatile
• Large surface area and seed capacity

Cons

• Easily accessible by squirrels and bully birds, like crows and grackles
• No protection from rain and snow

Takeaway

Again, if you don’t mind feeding squirrels and a wide variety of birds, this would make an excellent blue jay feeder for you. It’s large and open design makes it comfortable enough for blue jays to use it.

The Woodlink Going Green platform feeder would last for years, is versatile, and not a hassle to clean.

P.S: Installing it on a pole mount with a baffle can deter squirrels and other hungry mammals from using the feeder.

3. Birds Choice Whole Peanut Feeder - Best for Blue Jays

The Birds Choice Whole Peanut Feeder is one of the few feeders that’s designed to feed Blue Jays. Well, and other types of jays, cardinals, and small peanut-loving birds.

And birds love it back.

For you, you would get your money’s worth for years to come. It’s made of powder-coated metal that wouldn’t rust for years.

As I said earlier, it’s designed to feed only blue jays and other smaller birds. The small/short feeding area would be too small to fit any large birds.

However, it’s not squirrel proof unless you mount it on a pole with a baffle. And put it far away from where these critters can jump unto it.

That said, it can serve up to 2 quarts of the whole peanut. This should be enough to feed the birds for a week, though it depends on the activity at the feeder.

The roof keeps the seeds dry under light rain, but not so much when it’s a heavy downpour. Nevertheless, it has drainage holes that can keep the nuts from flooding.

A major gripe with this feeder is that its mesh housing is somewhat too large for peanuts. It makes sense to make the food easy for the birds to get to. But larger birds can get tricky to make the peanuts fall to the ground.

Regardless, it makes a beautiful addition to any feeding station or as the only feeder in a yard.

Pros

• Glossy powder-coated finish
• Weather-proof construction
• Sufficient drainage holes to keep peanuts dry
• Shuts out larger birds
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Not squirrel-proof
• Intelligent bully birds may figure out how to steal peanuts

Takeaway

This is one of the best feeders to attract blue jays. Its small size makes it a target for only them and other small songbirds.

The Birds Choice Whole Peanut Feeder is aesthetically pleasing, easy to use, and is a steal for its price. Although, its small capacity and loose mesh screen may lead to waste or frequent refills. But this is only if crows and grackles find a way around it.

4. Droll Yankees Dorothy - Best UV Protected Feeder

This is another typical version of a platform feeder. The only difference is that it’s made from plastic and has a dome over it.

Its wide tray platform makes a perfect area for Blue Jays to land and feed comfortably. The dome keeps out rain and snow from the food but not totally. Fortunately, it has small holes on the tray that drains water.

It can take up to 1 pound of seed, fruit, or any bird delicacy. This is one of the many benefits of a platform feeder.

The plastic dome is adjustable so it not only keeps out water but can also do the same with large birds. You can adjust the height of the cover to fit only small birds, like blue jays and cardinals.

If you were wondering, it’s made of durable UV-stabilized plastic. This means it won’t crack or warp when it’s exposed to the sun.

I also like how the construction is smooth all around. It makes cleaning it easy without trying to reach corners where dirt and feed would accumulate. Like most blue jay feeders in this review, spraying with a hose gets the job done.

Pros

• Durable UV-protected plastic build
• Wide platform tray with drainage holes
• Adjustable dome height to restrict birds at your will
• Easy to clean and refill
• Available at discounted price for combo deals

Cons

• May seem expensive to some folks because of its plastic build
• Not squirrel-proof

Takeaway

Finally, you may wonder why I’d recommend a “cardinal feeder.” Well, blue jays are typically attracted to similar feeders to their red friends. Plus, the color burst of blue and red plumage of these birds in your yard would be nothing short of amazing.

So, it’s one of the best feeders for cardinals and bluejays.

What To Consider When Shopping For The Best Blue Jay Feeder

It’s easy to say that just about any feeder will attract blue jays if you’re serving the right food. But you want to see them more often, right?

That’s why you must find a feeder with a design that works perfectly for blue jays. For this reason, I’ve listed a few factors that would help you make an informed decision.

Size

The most critical factor when looking for a blue jay feeder is size. Blue jays are relatively large, so they’ll need a feeder that equally large enough for them to land and feed comfortably. Else, you won’t see them coming back to the feeder.

Also, pick a feeder that can accommodate the number of blue jays you want feeding at a time. If you are thinking as many as possible, then a ground feeder or platform feeder is the best choice.

Construction

This factor is based mainly on your preference. Like with all bird feeders, blue jay feeders are available in different types of construction:

• Wooden
• Plastic
• Metal

Whichever one you choose, try to pick the best quality option, as we’ve done in this review. Recycled wood, for instance, would last longer than regular wood because it retains less water. Plus, an environmentalist will prefer this option.

Also, a UV-stabilized plastic would last for years being exposed to the sun. But ordinary plastic would crack or warp after a couple of weeks or months. 

Feeder Type

To read about this extensively would require a dedicated article. Blue jays would feed at most types of bird feeders.

However, they can become aggressive, and you may have to get a dedicated bird feeder for your blue jays. This is especially when they become territorial against smaller birds that you equally like.

Pick from one or two of these feeders below:

• Hopper feeders
• Mealworm feeders
• Platform feeders
• Tube feeder with tray attachment
• Suet feeders

Always keep the feeder filled and clean to see if all the birds may learn to use one feeder. Also, if you want to opt for a tube feeder to attract blue jays, buy it alongside a tray attachment. This gives blue jays space to land and feed without perching awkwardly.

What Do Blue Jays Eat?       

You may have gotten a clue from earlier into the article that peanuts are the blue jay’s favorite.

If you did, you’re right.

Blue jays have a strong black bill that can crack open peanuts and acorns to get the seeds. In the wild, they can feast on a lot more variety of food, but mostly corn, berries, grain, seeds, and insects.

So, if you’ve had enough of peanuts, you can serve these types of food at your feeding station. However, blue jays would drive away smaller birds at your feeding station but usually wait for them if they meet their match, like woodpeckers.  

On rare occasions, they may eat the eggs and nestlings of other birds. But this shouldn’t be a problem since you’ll keep them busy with their favorite seeds at your feeder.

Not to forget, blue jays also love to eat from suet feeders. 

Read Also: Best Bluebird Feeders

Now let's see what makes feeders tick for Blue Jays in this video below:

Takeaway

Attracting Blue Jays to your yard shouldn’t be so hard.

And it doesn’t stop with getting the right feeder for blue jays. Make sure your yard is habitable for birds and always fill the feeder with their favorite seeds.

If you’re split between which blue jay feeder to choose, I’ll recommend the Naturesroom peanut wreath feeder. It’s a super cheap and fun way to feed blue jays. You don’t even need to clean this feeder, and it comes with a free pack of peanuts.

However, if you don’t like how squirrels can easily access it, you can opt for the Birds Choice whole peanut feeder. But you’ll still have to mount it on a pole with a squirrel baffle. Also, the pole must be clear from ledges or platforms that squirrels can use as leverage to leap on the pole.

Whichever feeder you choose, you should be seeing blue jays in no time. If you’re lucky and generous, they will let you get close or even hand-feed them.

Hey, I’m not giving my word on that. Don’t push too hard.

Tell me about your experience so far trying to attract Blue Jays?