5 Weird and Funny Things Blue Jays Do 

Lesley, thanks to you, I started going outside every day to feed peanuts to the blue jays in my yard. Now, they come within a few feet of me to collect their peanuts, and are waiting outside for me every day. I get treated to a close up view of the peanut weighing you discuss in this video - there's one jay I call Mr. Pickypants because he'll switch peanuts up to 20 times before picking the right one. Sometimes he narrows it down to two, and switches between them 3-4 times before making his final decision.

Heard a wimpy sounding Red-shouldered hawk in the yard today I ran outside to see a Blue jay using the call to clear out the feeding station. LOL 😆

I used to toss peanuts to the jays in my area before heading off to college and I've experienced a fair share of interesting observations. My personal favorite: Often times, when Im out tossing peanuts, squirrels would show up and try to snag a few. Ive learned that squirrels are really not the best at finding them laying on the ground, so they'd wait for the jays to swoop to the ground to grab one before they would run at the jay and scare it off to get the peanut. Some jays learned this, and started to pretend there was a peanut where there wasn't one to lure the squirrel away. From there, the jays would fly back into the trees "scared off" then grab a peanut where there actually was one.

The bobbing looks like parrots "dancing"! They're just as smart as parrots, so there's got to be a really good reason behind it. And that darling one trying to put the rejected peanuts back... What an adorable bird!

Lesley, Thank you! I watch my own jays do the peanut comparisons - and people I have told this to think I am imagining it. They are so smart. If i am running late with their breakfast, there will always be a jay who swoops to the living room door to peer in at me - where I am taking too long with my morning coffee! And if I am in the kitchen and their peanuts have all been collected, then a jay will land on the hand rail and lean around to peer into the kitchen at me. They have trained me very well - as I drop what I am doing and fetch them more peanuts. Love your postings.

I’ve had squirrels run my blue jays off and the jay watched the squirrel hide the peanut and when the squirrel left the jay swooped down and took the peanut, that made me laugh. 😂 Blessings everyone 💜💚

One of my favorite birds, especially for their call; it's sentimental. The sound of their call reminds me of long ago, third grade, eight years old, staring out the window and watching these beautiful birds fly among the tall pines and listening to their song. A beautiful memory 🐦

I LOVE my Jays too! They are so funny to observe their antics! One thing I would say (for anyone unfamiliar with feeding peanuts to Jays) is that they MUST BE UNSALTED PEANUTS!

Thanks Lesley!! We call our Blue Jays Mr and Mrs Noisy. They're the first to come in when I set out peanuts. They're such a joy. Hope you are well, thanks for the tip about putting white in the nests too. 👍👍🐦

I'm watching this in the bedroom with the lights off and realized that two of my kitties were glued to the TV watching the birds closely.

It was a cold, wet rainy day and nothing changed until Miss Nerd came on and now still rainy and cold but much more informed and happier. Well done AGAIN

When my local jays come and 'test' the peanuts I leave out for them, I always thought they were doing a kind of pre-Tetris thing, trying to figure out which one to tuck down their throats and yet still leave enough space to grab a second one! Thanks for the clarification about weight, which makes a lot of sense, for these smart birds.

💙💙💙 Blue Jays!!! 💙💙💙

I have inadvertently become somewhat of an expert on Bluejays thanks to you Lesley..I am grateful to you because of this..I hear the many different calls of the Bluejays,thank you Lesley!!❤😊👍

Been feeding peanuts for several years and my cats watch out the window. Learned a lot thank you

I think the stringy root whips them in the eyes when they fly. It's like long hair when you ride a bike, it whips around and gets in your face.

My Usual visiting Jays do that "gotta weigh it first" thing too...I find it so funny. I love them ! They know me well too. They will take a peanut from my hand too. Thanks for sharing your stories Lesley !

They do take their time picking a peanut... unless there are lots of squirrels and chipmunks around LOL 🐿️🐿️🐿️

So interesting because I Never knew how purposeful Jays are with peanuts.👍🏻🍁

Great content, Lesley! 😎👍I’ve noticed that Blue Jays and squirrels seem to enjoy mutal benefit from each other; whenever I feed squirrels, Blue Jays take note. 🐿 👀 📝 Thank you for posting info on Blue Jays🙏

Thank you for this video. I have fed the Jays in my yard for about two years. I quickly observed the peanut selection thing. I figured it was weight, but what I didn't know was how often they stash those peanuts. When I put the peanuts out, they show up fast. Over the past two years I saw how they came closer and closer to me. I put their bowl of peanuts on a table about six feet from where I sit to read. They have gotten used to me and it makes me happy to see that they think I am no threat to them. What a pleasure to watch the birds. If more people only knew.

I love to learn more about Blue Jays!! I put a handful of peanut out each day for them and they usually don't last very long! I have noticed that chipmunks will also remove the string from the peanuts before they take them away to stash them! Thanks for another very informative video!

All so true! Their personal preferences are sometimes quite s p e c i f i c. What surprises me as I learn is how expressive their body language and tone of voice can be, sophisticated little communicators! Thanks Lesley!

Blue Jays nested in a tree, right outside of my Chicago house as a 5 year old and I was hooked! The next year, the Blue Jays were a new baseball team in Toronto and they've been my favorite team(besides the Cubs) ever since. So smart and beautifully annoying. I'm now in central Wisconsin and I've been hanging with a group of Jays on my property for 5 years. I've become much more knowledgeable about my blue buddies since I discovered this channel. Gracias amiga! 🤘🏼 🐦🐦

How adorable, the jay trying to put the rejected peanuts back in place! My blue jays have deserted me, because i could not put out peanuts. Haven’t since July 20: travel, then having to go through flea treatments for fleas i brought back from my brother’s. I have to keep everyone sealed up so it won’t get insecticide on it. Starting Thursday, i can start putting peanuts out again!

You taught us to better understand and appreciate blue jay behavior. They are so smart and cheeky!

Blue Jays are real characters Their singing and songs are awesome. They are in usually in packs together feeding and living in the woods. They are one of my favorite birds.

The bluejay that comes most frequently to my yard I call Squawky ( if you heard her / him you'd hear why 🙂 ) won't land on my hand but does come quite close and I think its because I also feed the squirrels 🐿or forest devils as someone calls them 😆 They come right up to me so the birds have become less intimated ! I have a new bluejay this year I call Chirp again you'd have to hear 👂 It sounds like someone whistling but a really sharp quick whistle as if to get your attention ! Such characters 🙂 well I bent your ear enough thanks for the video 🙏

Great video Lesley! I seen videos of Stellar’s Jay but I think, those of us that live in Eastern Canada, lucked out because we get to see and bluejays as resident birds.

Their behavior can be quite spectacular, but I'm even more fascinated by their impressive vocal repertoire.

Lesley, I love all of your bird videos but especially the ones on Blue Jays. You are the one that got me excited about feeding them peanuts and I haven't stopped for several years now.

I just started feeding blue jays this year. You are correct about them picking up multiple peanuts before they choose the one they want. I have seen them do that with out of the shell peanuts as well. Can’t wait to see how they behave this winter and next spring. Thanks for sharing this information with us.

Dear Lesley, your love of the Jays is definitely contagious! Thank you for sharing this informative and amazing video! 👏🏻👏🏻

Great post.

Hi Lesley, I really enjoy your narratives on these amazing Bluejays! You sure know their behaviors and calls!

My Jays do the same thing with the peanuts. They're very altruistic and let their gang know when the peanuts have arrived. And you explained why a white sandbag we had was torn apart and the strands were all taken. Also, I think your Jays have a Canadian accent! 😊 Ours sound slightly different.

The beak pounding into the ground means, "You see this?! Ima do this to your head if you get any closer!!"

We miss you and your beautiful birds, Lesley!

I love your channel Lesley, much love from NJ!

I've always loved and admired the Jays; they're friendly and fun to feed. One time I had several Blue Jays come right down to me to get peanuts and stuff they liked.. They became so tame and sometimes made me laugh they way they cock their head to look at me or whatever. Their jumping up and down is so very cute, and makes me laugh. Jays are very beautiful. I think they're my favorite bird besides raptors who I also admire. I loved it when a Chickadee fed out of the palm of my hand. Animals, etc. know "who you are and who you are not" and react to this. Have a great day!

Thank you for explaining why the jays pick up each peanut. It always amazes me that the show up from seemingly nowhere when I place a pile of peanuts on the ground.

You are my cat Mona’s favorite Canadian. I started the video, and she ran over to watch with me. Her eyes got big, and she patted the screen with her paw.

Your voice is so soothing, and i appreciate your love for these beautiful interesting birds, and the wonderful observations youve made through your time with them.

Pick it up, put it down, pick it up, put it down. Lol. Ive always enjoyed seeing them select the best peanuts. Cute birdies.

Such amazing birds. Far more intelligent than we know. I think there are regional “dialects” with their calls and Squeaky Gate in particular, as the call as uttered by your Jays sounds quite a bit different from those of the flock I feed. Squeaky Gate here sounds a bit deeper and flutey, with each of the two squeaks sounding more separate from the other, If that makes sense. I love listening to them chatter amongst themselves. ☺️

Thanks Lesley -- I love hearing about Feisty Jay and all the other blue jays we've got to know through watching your channel over the years. I've been watching a lot of funny bird videos this week, ever since I came across an American Woodcock video set to music. Those birds are so funny. They take for ever to walk anywhere because they bob when they walk as if they're dancing. It's so funny to watch them doing it, and it's really cute as well when the babies do the bobbing walk behind their mum -- like they're learning how to do the walk😆

So sorry to to see you go!!!!!!!! We absolutely LOVE Your channel and could NEVER EVER THANK YOU enough for your work!!!!!! We deeply MISS YOU and wish you the very best! Hoped you will come back and Bless us with your videos!!!! Be Good - Be Safe and Keep the Faith!!!!! We Miss You Very, Very Much!!! You were our favorite...

My jays are such a joy. They love fussing over the peanuts! So pretty.

Hope you're enjoying yourself Lesley. Your work is so visually stimulating and well done it will stand forever as the best. ❤😊🎉

Your videos are beautiful, relaxing and informative! I love them! ❤

We have a small mob of Steller's Jays that visit our backyard feeders looking for peanuts. In addition to the peanut "shopping" ritual and trying to hold multiple peanuts, I've noticed another behavior. Many of the Jays will grab a peanut when I first put them out, then perch in a nearby tree. After several seconds, they'll return to the feeder and "trade in" their peanut for what they must think is a better one. They've also taught themselves to balance precariously on the perches of the tube feeder while they pick out the peanut pieces from the mixed bird feed.

Lesley, you are a wonder! I host many wild birds in my VA gardens, and jays are the real noise makers. They really adore crushed eggshells from boiled eggs. After the eggs are peeled, I dry them overnight, then crush them fine and toss into a raised bed and voila, they vanish to the blue noise makers!

My Steller’s Jays weigh peanuts too! So funny! One of my Jays watches the others to see where the peanuts are hidden, digs them up and buries them where he wants them!

Very informative, thank you!! I 💙💙💙 Jays!!

Lesle.. This was a really fun video on the Jbirds. They are so fun and entertaining. Their antics are so comical. The picky peanut deal is hilarious 😅😅 I think your analogy of them picking out the best was so true. It does make me think of myself picking out produce 😂😂

I find it interesting that they often call out as they grab and test peanuts...I would think that they would want to keep their sudden supply of food secret but they seem to be calling all comers...crow's too...the crow's are so much more cautious than the blue jays...love them all...thank you for your channel and content

Thank you for another great video 👊😇I love your videos sooooo much! Someday may share my bird videos in a channel 🎥

I love all of your fascinating observations, Lesley. This is what I love about your videos, you spend so much time within the same area and with the same individuals so as to be able to start understanding common behaviours as well as individual ones. I don't know if you realize it or not, but your videos and countless observations are true citizen science at its best and such a contribution to bird science. I am fascinated by your observation of urban jays incorporating only white manmade material into their nests, and that it's done at the end of nest-building. I think your hypothesis that it's to break up the pattern of the nest is spot on. I, too, have noticed a lot of manmade materials incorporated into different species' nests, but never thought it was intentional. I'm going to start noticing which nests that is the case with and when/where it's incorporated. I know I saw it in catbird nests this year, and robin nests. How ADORABLE is Feisty Jay wanting to return the peanut 'dud's in an orderly fashion on the tree branch! That's so cute and funny! What a character. I also loved the observation about the rootlet at the end of the peanut that is often removed, but not by everyone. Oh, and the bobbing behaviour... hilarious when both feet leave the branch. I have some finches at home and they do the bobbing behaviour (only faster and while singing) as a courtship indicator. It looks VERY funny, but the females all gather around and stand stock still watching the male, and if they are impressed, they'll bend their head and 'wag' it. These are Gouldian finches. They never use it during aggressive displays, so it's not exactly the same, but I think there is some common ancestral genetic tie to this bobbing behaviour. Thanks again. Loved this video, as always!!!!

Love this! ❤ They’re such great birds!

I watched a Blue Jay playing in a tree in our back yard. It would fly up to a high branch, then jump off, without spreading it's wings, and smash into a lower branch, making it flop around wildly. After riding the branch until it stopped, it flew back up and repeated the action, again and again. There's no doubt in my mind that it was just having fun.

I swear Bluejays are amazing birds they're VERY smart

One thing that's the same is the head bobbing. So flippin cute when they do this. ❤

I love Jays. Jays and crows - the smartest birds on the planet! Wonderful photography, been enjoying these very much. Thank you...

2:33 I've watched a lot of bluebirds but never seen a more beautiful bird than that

I loved the video and instantly subscribed. Jays are all so alike, intelligent, elegant and sometimes very silly. The eurasian jays that come to my feeder do exactly the same things with the peanuts as the blue jays in this video. Love them all!

I had a platform feeder that I fed BJs peanuts. I had one Jay, 'Pickie' he would pick up and drop 10-12 peanuts on an average day. One day, he dropped one on the ground, flew down, retrieved it, and then continued picking at the pile. I love watching jays thanks for this video

Another enjoyable video, Lesley! Thank you!

I love the blue Jay's around my house. Peanuts in the shell is about the only thing that attracts them. I have watched some of you're videos 4 or 5 times. I really enjoy them ❤

I love your videos. My Jay's have been in my oak tree for the last couple of weeks. I can watch them for hours.💙💙💙

Thank you!always loved this bird.!!+

It’s not just a habit of Bluejays. It’s a sign of intelligence among many birds. That whole fussiness while shopping.

Blue Jays have such cute personalities! Nice video Lesley!

We had an Old Broken bird bath in our Backyard that we filled with Peanuts and OfCourse we had a Blue Jay that would Dive bomb any thing that went near it Even Us, LOL Those were His Peanuts!

i will never forget the two blue jays falling out of a tree fighting and then flying away still fighting.

Here in the PNW we have Stellar Jays instead of the Blue Jay types in the video. As I enjoy feeding the local crows peanuts, a Stellar Jay (Wally) started coming around and I'd put peanuts for him in a place where the crows wouldn't come. I would watch as Wally sorted through each peanut and then pick one and fly off. One time something happened that really surprised me. Wally checked out all the peanuts, picked one, flew off, then BROUGHT IT BACK and then chose another one. The fact that he actually brought it back instead of discarding it was amazing to me.

We once watched a blue jay test a dozen peanuts in the shell before deciding which was best. Fascinating & fun to watch ! Your reasons make sense!

Once again, something I learned from your videos modified my behavior. Which is to stop squeezing/crushing _every_ handful of peanuts I toss out, which I did so that some loose nuts will fall out for other birds/wildlife. Thanks!

Thank you for this. Blue Jays are my favorite wild “yard bird” as I call them.

We left 4 or 5 peanuts everyday for a visiting bluejay. When they were gone he would come and scream at us. One day we were in the den around the corner. Suddenly the bluejay appeared at the window and screamed for more peanuts. Startled us.

thank you, Lesley! Since for some strange reason there are few observable birds in my super rural area, it's always a pleasure to watch and learn from your videos.

Yes they love peanuts and like you say,not just any peanut. I've watched Jay's sit on very thin tree limbs and bounce on it like it's a diving board. I'm guessing it's fun, I know it's fun to watch.

For the first time in a couple years , I have had a large number of Blue Jays to my feeders . Peanuts in the shell , pumpkin seeds and black oil sunflower mix is what is bringing round .

Thanks Lesley for a fun and informative video. Here in Colorado where I live at 6,000 feet in the Rocky Mountain foothills, we have three different kinds of jays: the blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata), Woodhouse's scrub jay (Aphelocoma woodhouseii) and Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri). A good crew of all three variants waits every morning for me to toss a couple handfuls of shelled peanuts. If they're not there, I just call and they come flying. The scrub jays are most trusting and come within a few feet. Whenever I walk out of the house later in the day one or two of them usually show up hoping it's peanut time. The blue jays are a bit more standoffish and the Steller jays hang back and wait for the other two groups to take their fill. This morning routine always puts a smile on my face

Remind me of my brother Jay. I used to call him Jaybird! I love all birds.❤

I'm always impressed with the extent of your research. Thanks for all your efforts to bring your world into our lives. Ronn

Excellent! I think the stringy thing on peanuts is a possible source of irritation to the trachea. Very sweet birdies indeed. ⭐👍

So happy your still making these videos! Oh, and boris the crow is still doing great.

I almost never see Blue Jays in North Carolina. Thank you for this content.

Leslie, I too put shelled non salted peanuts every morning and my Blue jay right away came the minute they me do this. They are fun to watch and beautiful intelligent birds

4:26 So is this why I have heard stories about Blue Jays taking white paint chips off fences and houses in my area? I heard people talk about having issues with Blue Jays chipping away at white painted homes but people would say they just eat the chips for some weird reason. I never thought they might be using it to camouflage their nests.

there’s no other bird like the blue jay! thanks!

I have a party or band of blue jays that frequent my yard. They're quite comical to watch 😂

On the west coast here and we have Scrub Jays and Stellar Jays. Lots of similar behavior. I have some scrub jays who fly into my apartment and perch on my computer chair until I notice them and give them a peanut. Love them!

What's funny about my blue jays is not that they weigh each peanut, but that they pick the heaviest one, then come back and take the other ones too! :)

Hi Lesley! I love your Blue Jay videos. I wish I had them here at my feeders, but here, in northwestern Washington state, I have Stellers Jays and the rare Scrub Jay. Stellers Jays are brilliant birds too, but louder and jumpier around me than your jays seem to be. Their behaviors are fascinating, though. Some will weigh every peanut. Others will dash in and grab the nearest one. One even carefully selected her nut, then flew up, only to immediately return with the nut, put it down and select another one. Just like a person exchanging goods at a store!

We’re glad you’re posting again!

Busy, my #1 Alpha Queen Blue Jay for the last 4 years can fit up to 8 Almonds in her bill at one time. World's Record! One of this year's juveniles, Puff, made my terrace an extra important home base and she meows like my cats (they are on the other side of a closed terrace door of course). I hear her coming all the time. It's crazy. I love them so much. And yes, I learned everything I know from Lesley.💙🐦

Thank you happy birding

Amazing footage, fascinating video! I have a peanut feeder, and one thing I've noticed is jays returning peanuts after flying off with them. They'll fly back to the feeder, choose another peanut, and fly off again!

Always a joy to watch your Blue Jays! Thank you for the video