Birdfeeders

All the other birds sure know when the jays are arriving for they are the biggest birds at the feeder, they are loud and just get everyone else to leave. If you want to discourage them from eating at your bird feeders, there are a couple of things to try. Squirrel proof bird feeders have cages around them that only allow smaller birds to get through. They discourage jays as well as squirrels. A plastic tube feeder with short perches will be very difficult for jays to land on, so will also send them on their way.

However, there are some advantages to having jays around the yard. Most importantly, they are great at alerting all birds to danger. If a cat or hawk is nearby, they sound the alarm to all birds in the area. Also, they really are entertaining to watch. They are always busy eating, bathing, whatever. So maybe a compromise is in order. Have squirrel proof bird feeders that are off limits to jays, but in another area have platform bird feeders with foods they love such as peanuts in the shell, cracked corn and sunflower seeds.