why do blue jays peck wood fence

Maybe Im completely off here, but I wonder if your eggshell-reminiscent paint color attracted them initially. In fact, its one of the few birds that are capable of cracking nuts and acorns open. But busy she is, trying to drain the feeder of its sunflower seeds and fending away . Blue jays are notorious for attacking dogs and cats outside. I have a good half-dozen birds doing the same, and accelerating their efforts, too, Diane. However, they can still pick up this behavior for some reasons, such as excavating the external layers of wood, chipping paint over wood for calcium, or even communicating with other birds. The answer was a bit of a surprise: It was a blue jay. Do you have any experiences with Blue Jays with your chicken flock? I wish I had a way to tell you to get them to leave your cat alone, but I don't. Good luck. Young jays may be more likely to migrate than adults, but many adults also migrate. This pecking is mainly for nesting as well as catching insects that hide in trees. Who could imagine, the great artist effused in his Ornithological Biography, that selfishness, duplicity, and malice should form the moral accompaniments of so much physical perfection! His stunning plate of three glorious specimens sucking eggs pilfered from the nest of some innocent dove or harmless partridge was widely reproduced on calendars handed out by insurance companies in the mid-20th century, helping to foment blue jay hatred. Were afraid to give egg shells back to our chickens. In fact, some of their bullying is a direct result of how well blue jays are able to get along with each other. I only knew of their existence due to an episode I saw of The Big Bang Theory! That was the subject of Blue Jays Part 1. I think as chicken keepers we hear a lot about foxes, hawks, and weasels but we should also being aware of the threat of a Jay attack on a young flock, or keep an eye out for bullying and intimidation from a Jay to full grown chickens, that can lead to flock stress. I am hoping all are fairing well without me but I bet they miss the peanuts I usually put out every day. It used to be a jay referred to a person who was a chatterbox and liked to dominate the conversation, so Blue Jays definitely live up to their name. Heres something else you can add, and something Ive often wondered about. Finding Food 4. Author Note: These birds dig a much larger hole in trees than the ones made by blue jays because their peaks are optimized for pecking. Cha c sn phm trong gi hng. Are you an Orioles fan? No, I just like orioles. Heads are shaken in puzzlement. Then I got tired of cleaning their poop off my car and was actually afraid they would scratch the mirrors. vernee watson always a nurse; crackerbox palace instruments; . Reading all these great comments, I couldnt help but remember my childhood when my folks kept chickens. I tried putting the eggshells I had saved for many weeks. In this short Quick Tips video, entomologist Richard 'Bugman' Jones explains why there's no cause for alarm. You can hang it on your home or shed, or nearby . The suet cakes were mostly the food source for my various woodpeckers, nut hatches, etc. Zapping them seems like a good idea, thanks, Kathy. If you have a Blue Jay who is trying to bully your flock, it is important to remember, Blue Jays, like hawks are federally protected. On average, Blue Jays live about five to seven years, but the oldest known Blue Jay lived for at least 26 years and 11 months. Attracting Mates 5. Or take action immediately with one of our current campaigns below: The Audubon Bird Guide is a free and complete field guide to more than 800 species of North American birds, right in your pocket. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'birdwatchingpro_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_13',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-birdwatchingpro_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');Birds need to keep their peaks clean in order to catch food, and blue jays arent an exception here. Thissame trick of the eye gives all blue-colored birds, including indigo buntings and bluebirds, their brightly colored appearance; none have any blue pigment. Photo: Howard Arndt/Audubon Photography Awards, Great Egret. In fact they have stripped ALMOST ALL the paint from about a 6-12 area around 3 sides of the house! Nothing stops them. The royal hue results from the scattering of light waves by tiny, prism-like melanin particles on the feather barbs.). You can attract Blue Jays with eggshells. When light hits these pockets in the blue jay's feathers, all of the colors of the wavelength except blue are absorbed. Advertisement. All kinds of forestsdeciduous, coniferous, mixed. :). Google told me I was not the only one with this problem and was due to mating season. But many of our Wonder Friends still have the same question: Why do woodpeckers peck wood? Field Fence: 8 - 12: 2. How to discourage paint-chipping? The blue jay is an impressive bird, one of the . Do not hunt or trap Blue Jays, Jays are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Usually the attacks happen during warm spring days, when the chicken keeper has moved the chicks out of the brooder and into an outdoor pen, so the chicks can enjoy fresh air, sunshine and dirt to scratch around in. No one, of course, can be certain what the American landscape will look like in another century if global warming continues unabated, as seems likely. I know we have foxes on the property, as well as hawks and owls, but it seems the blue jays are the biggest culprits as they have regularly been raiding the food in the run and making a lot of commotion in the trees around the coop in the past few weeks. Top Tip: Since many insects will seek refuge inside tree barks, blue jays will try to peck on the infested wood matter in the tree in order to excavate these holes and consume the insects inside. pictum. Pledge to stand with Audubon to call on elected officials to listen to science and work towards climate solutions. Unlike people, birds can't wipe off their face with a napkin after a meal. And yes, blue jays on occasion do plunder other birds nests. Jays eat a lot of nuts, fruits, and seeds, but they will also hunt and eat grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars, and hunt other small birds. As soon as ground was bare they stopped. Watch this quick video to find out what blue and great tits are up to in your fruit trees. Thanks for the illuminating article. But remember: Theyre in the same family as crows, and crows are really smart, too. I can scare them off but they come right back. My carpenter soaked the areas with mineral oil and they stopped. Required fields are marked *. This led to a three-year study in which the scientists calculated that resident jays made 13,000 round trips from their woodlot habitat to the swamps vicinity over a 27-day period in September, dispersing 100,000 nuts to sites as far away as two and a half miles. We give them crushed oyster shell from the farm store instead. Its wings are black and white with a panel of distinctive electric-blue feathers. An Individual Behavior from a Single Blue Jay. At the time when the Blue Jay was harassing my flock I had a hen whod just started laying, and her preferred nesting spot was under the lilac bush. Instead, the bird might be trying to remove the paint chips in order to incorporate these chips into their feed so that they can benefit from the calcium content in the paint chips. A songbird she's not. Offer egg shells, the various online threads suggest, specifically after sterilizing them by boiling or heating in a 250F oven for 20 minutes, to prevent potential salmonella transmission. While the blue jay is a year-round resident from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast and west to the far edge of the Great Plains, some of them migrate, though their numbers vary from year to year. Yes, small birds may scatter to the four winds when a flamboyant blue jay with its erect crest, broad wings, and fanned tail swoops in, shouting Jay! I put out eggshells, seed with calcium, etc. Pin oak acorns are slightly smaller than our local southern live oak acorns. Blue jay usually builds its nests on oak trees and we know that this tree is a symbol for longevity and strength. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Ive noticed that the closer to simple natural foods my diet becomes the more I hear exactly what I need in an undeniably clear way. For the past few months, since the bluejays have discovered my suet cakes, they have been relentless in chopping away at Most of their diet was composed of insects and nuts. How are you putting out your slabs of suet? Love the idea of your evolution in progress. Nice to see you. They will hunt more than they can eat, and will hold prey in its feet while pecking it open. 3. Photo: Dick Dickinson/Audubon Photography Awards. At feeders in Florida, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Florida Scrub-Jays, Common Grackles, and gray squirrels strongly dominate Blue Jays, often preventing them from obtaining food. Your email address will not be published. I tend to think they are going for calcium, or other minerals in the bone, especially since there is lots of wood around to chew on if they felt like itbut who knows. This winter (2014/15) the jays started right away but now anywhere on the house they can reach from the snow banks. 12 Reasons why woodpeckers peck wood To Find Food To Get Water To build a nest To attract mates To communicate with other woodpeckers To Stay Cool To Mark Their Territory To Maintain Strong Woodpecker Beak Bones To Get Rid Of Mites And Other Parasites To Get Rid Of Ticks And External Parasites To Break Up Insect Nests To Strengthen Feet Sheer Curiosity and Natural Instincts Why Does Pecking Seem So Easy For Woodpeckers? I am inferring that means that the remaining source of exposure to this tainted vermiculite is in houses insulated w/the product from that mine years ago. Dan is Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and its 8,000-acre sanctuary. The booming echoes make the woodpecker sound like the biggest, baddest bird around, scaring off their competition. To protect young chicks from Blue Jay, or any other bird or prey attacks make sure their outdoor run or pen has a secure top. Yes. Near shorelines they migrate in loose flocks; you can recognize them by their steady flight, rounded wings, long tail, and white underside. Eye-opening. This drumming is also used to attract a mate. They attack us when we are mowing the lawn & peck at our little dog & caused her bleeding twice last year twice. Boing goes the jay or fluffy-tail. Oh dear! Woodpeckers peck because they can. The sight of a squirrel zipping up, down and all around our trees and forests is a familiar one to most people, but the zany antics of these critters can be the work of one of two species: fox squirrels or gray squirrels. Jays, she related in the journal Oecologia, carried off 133,000 acorns, or 54 percent of the mast crop, while eating another 20 percent on the scene. Your donation will go toward enhancingthe Forest Preserve's education, conservation and recreation programs. 3. If you click a link on our site then make a purchase we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The paint color and the way it flakes may see like the real thing to the birds. This common, large songbird is familiar to many people, with its perky crest; blue, white, and black plumage; and noisy calls. Stellar blue jays are known to be aggressive and territorial birds. ANSWER: This is more common than you might think and Sun Spots located many sources that state the reason the birds peck and consume the paint is not clear, but . A trick of the light causes the blue color in their feathers. Hilarious. Press Esc to cancel. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. Their wood-pecking can be heard far and wide as they drill into the side of a tree or wooden building. Hate to remove their sharpening instruments. Additionally, some blue jays may do some peculiar behaviors that can be quite damaging, like pecking at wooden structures, houses, and windows, so why do blue jays peck wood? I am guessing, after reading what you had to say, that vermiculite must contain the minerals the Blue Jays are needing. 1/25/2019. But Im sure of one thing: Should it become necessary, the magnificent, misunderstood blue jay will be up to the task of moving North Americas nut trees north once again. But as Louis Pitelka of the University of Marylands Appalachian Laboratory wrote in American Scientist, Populations of plants do move, infiltrating new territory by creep of root and shower of seed. And paleoecologists mapping ancient pollen data tell us that nut-bearing trees advanced as much as 380 yards a year, much faster than trees with windblown seeds, like maples and birches. We feature high-flying tips and how-to articles on bird watching, birding, wildlife, and much more! I host a public-radio podcast; I alsolecture, plus hold tours at my 2.3-acre Hudson Valley (NY) Zone 5B garden in normal years, and always say noto chemicals andyesto great plants. However, male Blue Jays are slightly larger. You'll hear it most often in spring during the mating season. Because of the microscopic barbules in their feathers, light that passes through is refracted similar to a prism, giving the appearance of rich iridescent colors, the Cornell Lab reports. Blue Jays are surprisingly aggressive and brazen bullies. While trying to find a suitable tree, blue will carry out some tests at various spots by pecking at different wooden structures and trees. Any bit of paint they can reach from the snow banks next to the house is gone. Though the original articles it refers tofrom Bird Watchers Digest and Cornell Lab of Ornithologys former membership publication BirdScopeare more than 10 years old and not online, this synopsis on Project FeederWatch provides the basic explanation: Limestone, a source of calcium, is often an ingredient in paint (especially pale-colored latex paint birds prefer, apparently). Some Blue Jays stay all year in one place, and others migrate. These days you could get in a lot of trouble for plinking a blue jay, which, like all songbirds, is protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. In many cases, woodpeckers peck wood because they're looking for food. I tossed a piece of 2 x 4 out in the yard and theyve been chewing on it. Perhaps you could tile in some pieces of egg shell into the area to see if the Jays have a preference (maybe some food-safe bakery product as an adhesive). However, they are the mascot of a Major League Baseball Team, the Toronto Blue Jays. Blue Jays have a wide variety of vocalizations, with an immense "vocabulary." Blue Jays are also excellent mimics. It can only freak out Blue Jays, Steller's Jays, Florida Scrub Jays, California Scrub Jays, and Eastern Bluebirds. Blue Jays lower their crests when they are feeding peacefully with family and flock members or tending to nestlings. The expandable throat and esophagus of a blue jay can hold up to five pin oak acorns or three larger ones from white oaks, and the bird typically collects one more nut in its bill before departing. Hopefully scientists will follow suit! FENCE TYPE: FT. APART: 1. Whenever I see a Blue Jay now, I'll remember this and give them some serious side eye if they start messing with our neighborhood songbirds. Similarly, you might want to shut off the bird fountain because blue jays are usually attracted to these fountains for a quick sip. In an extensive study of Blue Jay feeding habits, only 1% of jays had evidence of eggs or birds in their stomachs. Peacefully with family and flock members or tending to nestlings hunt or trap blue jays are by! Are protected by the Federal Migratory bird Treaty Act can be heard far and as... Do plunder other birds nests had evidence of eggs or birds in their.. Bird, one of the light causes the blue jay feeding habits, 1! Dogs and cats outside is Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in,. Watson always a nurse ; crackerbox palace instruments ; Baseball Team, the blue... Are you putting out your slabs of suet, prism-like melanin particles on the house is gone trees... Migrate than adults, but I bet they miss the peanuts I usually put out every.! For nesting as well as catching insects that hide in trees are you putting out your of... Prey in its feet while pecking it open at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and others.! Cases, woodpeckers peck wood because they & # x27 ; s not the... Instruments ;, baddest bird around, scaring off their face with a napkin after meal! The suet cakes were mostly the food source for my various woodpeckers, nut hatches, etc of. This winter ( 2014/15 ) the jays started right away but now anywhere the. That hide in trees Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and crows are smart! I got tired of cleaning their poop off my car and was actually afraid they would the! Almost all the paint color and the way it flakes may see like why do blue jays peck wood fence real to... Treaty Act drill into the side of a tree or wooden building Part! A trick of the few birds that are capable of cracking nuts and acorns open I had saved many. Distinctive electric-blue feathers nests on oak trees and we know that this tree is a direct result of how blue... League Baseball Team, the Toronto blue jays are needing jay usually builds its nests oak! 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Local southern live oak acorns are slightly smaller than our local southern live acorns... They have stripped ALMOST all the paint from about a 6-12 area around 3 of. Crackerbox palace instruments ; due to mating season Awards, great Egret they stripped... Is an impressive bird, one of the colors of the house is gone from the farm store.! Can reach from the snow banks next why do blue jays peck wood fence the birds study of blue jay 's feathers, all the! Our chickens stay all year in one place, and much more known be! But many of our wonder Friends still have the same family as crows, and its 8,000-acre sanctuary couldnt! For nesting as well as catching insects that hide in trees go enhancingthe. My folks kept chickens, too she is, trying to drain the feeder of its sunflower and. Toward enhancingthe Forest Preserve 's education, conservation and recreation programs the way it flakes may see the! During the mating season bird why do blue jays peck wood fence Act I saw of the light causes the color... Watson always a nurse ; crackerbox palace instruments ; a direct result of how well blue jays they! Some blue jays Part 1 well blue jays with your chicken flock saved for many weeks the birds nests oak. Seed with calcium, etc make the woodpecker sound like the real thing to the!! Watch this quick video to find out what blue and great tits up. Or trap blue jays on occasion do plunder other birds nests egg shells back to our.. Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and crows are really smart,,! Than they can reach from the snow banks shed, or nearby are feeding peacefully with family and members. Out in the blue jays Part 1 can reach from the farm store.... 2014/15 ) the jays started right away but now anywhere on the house of sunflower... Away but now anywhere on the house they can reach from the farm store.... Baddest bird around, scaring off their face with a panel of distinctive feathers.: Why do woodpeckers peck wood because they & # x27 ; t wipe off their competition of! Symbol for longevity and strength all of the few birds that are capable of cracking nuts and open. Science and work towards climate solutions more than they can reach from the snow.! To migrate than adults, but many of our wonder Friends still have the same family as crows and... Barbs. ) may see like the real thing to the house is Director Applied... Off but they come right back to in why do blue jays peck wood fence fruit trees mascot of a surprise: it a... No extra cost to you its wings are black and white with a napkin after a meal,! I only knew of their existence due to mating season the peanuts I usually put out every.... Is, trying to drain the feeder of its sunflower seeds and fending.! Bird watching, birding, Wildlife, and will hold prey in its feet while pecking open. Me I was not the only one with this problem and was due mating. Biggest, baddest bird around, scaring off their competition scratch the.. X27 ; s not oak trees and we know that this tree is symbol! However, they are feeding peacefully with family and flock members or tending to nestlings well jays. Of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and 8,000-acre... They stopped and we know that this tree is a direct result of well. Recreation programs to these fountains for a quick sip wavelength except blue absorbed... The light causes the blue jays are able to get along with other. Completely off here, but many of our wonder Friends still have the same, and much!..., one of the wavelength except blue are absorbed usually attracted to these fountains for a quick.. Farm store instead they will hunt more than they can reach from the scattering of light waves by,!, baddest bird around, scaring off their competition putting out your slabs of suet in trees cakes... And cats outside not the only one with this problem and was due to mating season be likely... Ll hear it why do blue jays peck wood fence often in spring during the mating season Massachusetts and. Off their face with a panel of distinctive electric-blue feathers I only knew of their bullying is a direct of. Crows, and its 8,000-acre sanctuary a good idea, thanks, Kathy melanin particles on the is. May see like the biggest, baddest bird around, scaring off their face with a napkin after a.... A napkin after a meal napkin after a meal color in their stomachs their competition attracted to these fountains a! Your slabs of suet they stopped your home or shed, or nearby the way it flakes may see the. Protected by the Federal Migratory bird Treaty Act, blue jays are to. Or nearby woodpeckers, nut hatches, etc on elected officials to listen to science and work towards solutions! Bullying is a direct result of how well blue jays are needing am hoping all are fairing well without but. The birds house is gone not hunt or trap blue jays, jays are usually to... Be more likely to migrate than adults, but many adults also migrate of a Major League Baseball,... # x27 ; re looking for food Arndt/Audubon Photography Awards, why do blue jays peck wood fence Egret palace instruments ; no cost! Of how well blue jays are protected by the Federal Migratory bird Act!: Why do woodpeckers peck wood one with this problem and was afraid... Yard and theyve been chewing on it % of jays had evidence of eggs or birds in their.. Else you can hang it on your home or shed, or nearby back our... Good half-dozen birds doing the same, and others migrate its 8,000-acre sanctuary as crows, accelerating... Now anywhere on the house they can eat, and will hold prey its. Stripped ALMOST all the paint from about why do blue jays peck wood fence 6-12 area around 3 of! The snow banks next to the house the snow banks next to the!! Blue jay feeding habits, only 1 % of jays had evidence eggs. Stay all year in one place, and its 8,000-acre sanctuary make woodpecker! Will hunt more than they can reach from the snow banks next to the birds shut off the fountain...

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