 Jay birds, also known as Blue Jays, are plentiful in our yard, adding a bit of color to the winter-browned yard. Even though they can be a bit overbearing, their saucy antics and bright blue and white are appreciated all year here in East Texas. Here Blue is taking a lunch break of Black Oil Sunflower Seed. Some folks get aggravated with them, as they will sometimes take over the feeders and gobble up seed by the pound, but there is also usually plenty of time for the smaller birds to get their share. Jays can also be a danger to nesting birds, as they have been known to rob nests of other smaller birds. This doesn't happen very often, but is one of the sad facts of nature. One has to remember that, and let nature take its course. There is one thing one can do to give the smaller birds a little protection, and that is to make the entrances of the bird boxes the correct size for the birds that one expects to house. I have had bird boxes up for many many years and have had only one incident of a Jay possibly killing a nestling, and while I witnessed the attack, am really not positive that the baby died of the attack or whether it was already dead of another cause. . When there is something or someone that the Jay feels is a danger in his area, he will sound an alarm, screeching Jay! Jay! Jay! at the top of his voice and actually follow the offender screeching at it. When I had an aviary, I often entered it and sat on a stump to watch and listen. The Finch constantly build nests!The Budgies constantly chattering, and Fred the Cocateel whistling "Dixie" at the top of his lungs while his mate, Ethyl, watched him in adoration. I was sitting there one hot summer afternoon when I heard a Jay screeching in the tree next to the aviary. There was some danger near by. I turned carefully and looked around, and at the foot of the tree was a large gray snake within about 5 feet of where I sat. I knew that the snakes were a danger to my birds, but I felt that I was in his territory and that he did have a right to be there. I watched him and my neighbors, who had just killed a Copperhead with my hoe,came over to bring my hoe back and wanted to kill him, but I told them not to. He wasn't poisonous. They left thinking I was crazy; The snake and I studied each other a bit longer and he seemed to decide that he would find a meal elsewhere and glided away. I never lost one bird or egg to snakes as far as I know. There are many specie of Blue Jays, but these are the kind that are in my backyard. P.S. Jays also warn when there is a cat in the neighborhood! I think they are used to Ms. Kitty, though, as while they take off, they don't screech at her. |
