How big should a birdhouse hole be for a Blue Jay?

When it comes to attracting beautiful birds like Blue Jays to your backyard, putting up a birdhouse is a great idea. Blue Jays are medium-sized songbirds that have stunning blue, white and black plumage. They are found across much of North America and are a joy to watch with their loud, musical calls.

One of the key factors in getting Blue Jays to take up residence in a birdhouse is making sure the entrance hole is the proper diameter. This will ensure that the birdhouse is suited to the Blue Jay’s body size and habits. Read on to learn exactly how big the birdhouse hole should be to attract Blue Jays.

What is the Blue Jay?

The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a passerine bird in the Corvidae family, which includes crows, ravens, magpies and jays. Here are some key facts about these beautiful backyard birds:

– Medium-sized – 25-30 cm in length with a wingspan of 34-43 cm
– Bright blue feathers on back, wings, tail and crown
– White underside and facial markings
– Black necklace-like collar
– Pinkish legs and feet
– Strong black bill
– Loud, sometimes harsh calls
– Omnivorous – eats insects, nuts, seeds, fruits and even small vertebrates
– Found across eastern and central North America
– Resident year-round in most of range
– Males and females have similar plumage
– Nest in trees; females build nest and incubate eggs

Blue Jays are intelligent, social birds that mate for life. Though territorial, they often gather in small flocks. The oldest known Blue Jay was at least 26 years old.

Blue Jay Habits and Preferences

When it comes to their housing preferences, here are some key Blue Jay facts:

– Naturally nest in cavities of trees, 10-25 feet above ground
– Favor deciduous trees in open or edge wooded areas
– Rarely excavate their own nesting cavities
– Require an entrance hole of 3 inches or less in diameter
– Will use an enclosed birdhouse or nest box as substitute for tree cavity
– Most comfortable with internal floor dimensions 8x8x16 inches
– Nest is made of twigs and grass, lined with rootlets
– Female lays 3-6 light brown/olive eggs
– Do not add nesting material if birdhouse already occupied
– Territorial – only one mated pair will use a nesting box
– Will return to same box year after year if first nesting successful
– Discourage house sparrows from entering the box
– Need 50 ft between bird houses to prevent competition
– Clean out old nest each season to prevent mites, parasites

Understanding these nesting and breeding habits will help you set up the optimal Blue Jay birdhouse.

Choosing a Birdhouse for Blue Jays

When selecting or building a birdhouse specifically for Blue Jays, here are some key tips:

– Use untreated, unpainted wood at least 3/4 inches thick so it holds up to the elements
– Make sure the birdhouse is well-ventilated and drained to stay dry inside
– Include ventilation holes near the roof and drainage holes in the floor
– Have a hinged side or roof panel for easy annual cleaning
– Use a durable overhanging roof to shelter the entrance hole
– Mount the box on a tree, pole or under the eave of a building
– Face the entrance hole away from prevailing winds and distractions
– Keep cats, dogs and predators away from the birdhouse location
– Place near trees but not shaded by branches
– Elevate to 5-15 feet above ground; 10 feet is optimal

Follow these tips and the Blue Jay housing recommendations below to create an attractive nesting site.

Blue Jay Birdhouse Hole Size

The most important specification for attracting Blue Jays to a nest box is the diameter of the entrance hole. Here are the proper hole dimensions:

– 2 1/8 – 2 3/8 inches diameter
– Circular or oval shape

This sized opening is ideal for Blue Jays for a few reasons:

– Allows easy entry and exit for these medium-sized songbirds
– Prevents larger birds like starlings from entering and taking over the box
– Discourages smaller birds such as house wrens and chickadees from using the space

Sticking to the 2 1/8 – 2 3/8 inch dimension will attract nesting pairs of Blue Jays without being overrun by other species. Make sure any birdhouse or nest box intended for Blue Jays has an entrance hole within this size range.

Birdhouse Hole Size Comparison Chart

This comparison shows the larger hole size needed for Blue Jays. Follow these dimensions when building or buying a birdhouse to attract nesting pairs to your yard.

Tips for Attracting Blue Jays

In addition to proper birdhouse hole size, there are some other helpful tips to entice beautiful Blue Jays to take up residence:

– Choose a birdhouse made specifically for Blue Jays with appropriate dimensions
– Ensure the box is made of durable, well-ventilated, weatherproof materials
– Look for a design with removable roof for easy cleaning and monitoring
– Use raw, untreated wood without paint or preservative
– Mount securely on a tree, pole or building 10 feet above ground
– Select an open site away from brush but not too exposed
– Include drainage holes in floor and ventilation holes under roof
– Provide some shelter such as overhanging roof above entrance
– Keep feeders well-stocked with peanuts, sunflower seeds, raisins and mealworms
– Offer a shallow water dish, mister or bird bath for drinking and bathing
– Avoid competing with other cavity nesters by spacing boxes 50 feet apart

Taking these steps will create an enticing nesting spot and reward you with a brilliant flash of blue as the Jays come to investigate your birdhouse!

Conclusion

The Blue Jay is a stunning backyard bird that can become a regular visitor with proper birdhouse accommodations. By creating or selecting a nest box with an entrance hole diameter between 2 1/8 – 2 3/8 inches, you provide an ideal cavity for these medium-sized songbirds. Combine the properly sized opening with durable, weatherproof construction, adequate ventilation and drainage, optimal placement and maintenance to attract mated pairs of Blue Jays. With a range of blue tones brighter than the sky, the sight of Blue Jays gracing your birdhouse and yard will bring you endless joy.