Blue jays are colorful songbirds that can be found across much of North America. They have bright blue feathers on their back and wings, with a white and black pattern on their face. Blue jays are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their natural diet consists of seeds, nuts, fruits, insects, and sometimes small animals like frogs or mice. While blue jays are excellent at spotting predators and sounding alarm calls, they do face threats from a variety of predators.
Birds of prey
One of the most common predators of blue jays are birds of prey, also known as raptors. This includes hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls. Birds like the Cooper’s hawk and sharp-shinned hawk specialize in hunting smaller birds. Their excellent eyesight, powerful talons, and curved beaks make them well-equipped to swiftly catch blue jays in midair or squeeze the life out of them. Owls like the great horned owl also prey on blue jays, using their silent flight and night vision to surprise the jays.
Hawks
Here are some of the most common hawk species that prey on blue jays:
- Cooper’s hawk – One of the most frequent predators, they ambush blue jays in dense vegetation.
- Sharp-shinned hawk – Small but aggressive hawk that relentlessly pursues smaller birds like jays.
- Northern goshawk – A bold forest-dwelling hawk that takes blue jays from tree stands.
- Red-shouldered hawk – Hunts blue jays in open woodlands from perches.
- Red-tailed hawk – An adaptable open country hunter that sometimes catches jays.
Owls
Some owl species that prey on blue jays include:
- Great horned owl – A large and powerful owl that is a major nocturnal predator of jays.
- Eastern screech owl – Despite its small size, can kill jays at night with stealth.
- Barred owl – An opportunistic woodland hunter that swoops down on jays.
- Long-eared owl – Catches jays at night by pinpointing their roosts.
- Short-eared owl – An open country owl that hunts jays in grasslands and marshes.
Other birds
While raptors are the biggest avian threat, other birds may occasionally prey on blue jays as well. The most likely candidates include larger species that are omnivorous or sometimes eat other birds, such as:
- Crows – Often competes with and sometimes kills jays.
- Grackles – Opportunistic feeders that may turn to eggs or nestlings.
- Jays – Yes, even other blue jays may eat eggs or young in nests!
- Magpies – Intelligent opportunistic feeders that sometimes eat eggs and fledglings.
Mammals
Mammalian predators of blue jays include:
Squirrels
Tree squirrels like gray squirrels and fox squirrels will raid blue jay nests for eggs and nestlings. Being agile tree climbers, nests are easily accessible to them.
Raccoons
With their dexterous paws, raccoons can access nests and take eggs, nestlings and even adult jays. They are primarily nocturnal predators.
Opossums
While opossums are mostly scavengers, they are occasionally known to prey on eggs and nestlings of blue jays and other small vulnerable birds when given the chance.
Snakes
Some snakes like rat snakes and racers can climb trees and raid nests for eggs and chicks. Larger snakes may able to swallow adult jays whole.
Cats
Free ranging domestic cats can often catch blue jays. Their stalking skills and agility make them effective jay hunters.
Other predators
Besides birds and mammals, a few other animals also prey on blue jays at times:
- Chipmunks – Will steal eggs and possibly nestlings.
- Frogs & toads – Eat eggs and nestlings.
- Squirrels – Raid nests for eggs and chicks.
- Snakes – Climbing snakes eat eggs, young and adults.
- Spiders – Cobweb spiders catch and eat jays.
Defense against predators
Blue jays have evolved some behaviors and adaptations to help them evade predators:
- Coloration – Blue jay plumage sticks out less amongst autumn foliage.
- Mobbing – Jays gang up on predators to drive them away.
- Alarm calls – Loud alarm calls alert other jays to danger.
- Mimicry – Can copy the calls of hawks to scare off predators.
- Nest concealment – Builds nests strategically in dense foliage.
Conclusion
Blue jays face a wide array of predatory threats from birds of prey like hawks and owls, to mammals like cats and raccoons, and other animals. Their nests are especially vulnerable to being raided by predators for eggs and chicks. However, blue jays have evolved adaptations and behaviors like nest concealment, alarm calls, and mobbing that help them reduce attacks. Understanding both jay predators and defenses can help people support blue jay conservation.