Getting pretty close to being able to hand feed the blue jays in my own backyard soon. I've got them to the point they'll come within arm's reach of me for the peanuts I've been offering, and they typically come to check out if I've got any food any time I'm outside (so I've started carrying a pocket of peanuts on me). Once I can hand feed them I'll figure I've earned my birdfeeding badge.
I'm pretty confident I could have made more progress by now but I've been taking things very slowly over time. Something I didn't mention is that my birds are not from a suburban setting, but very rural. So when I started trying to get them used to a human presence, I had to start from complete scratch. I do have them to the point that some of them will quickly snatch peanuts off my hand. On a whole they are much more comfortable with my presence now to the point that when I am putting the peanuts out they will 'swarm' in around me, so close that they hit me with their wings sometimes. I've learned that dealing with blue jays is a lot like dealing with toddlers who will take any opportunity to cheat because they're so smart. So sometimes when I want to coax them in really close I need to be more disciplined and hold back on giving them the peanuts right away, and instead try to make them a bit impatient.
Love feeding the Blue Jays peanuts! I have a family that comes to my workplace and gets them from me everyday. If i don't come right out they call to me lol
that slomo where he just has to have those peanuts inspite of the camera was so cute, and love how the squirrel rolled his like a cigar..lol..great video share.
+Karen Hancock They are a blast and now they always following me in the Backyard looking for a peanut! I think they've learned to hide them and hurry back for more BB
They are not really 'trained', but are just coming back to a location of consistent free food that they like; exactly what they do in general. Although this might be a good pre-step towards slowly getting them used to you being there and perhaps get them to stand on you hand over time; although this could take a very long to establish such a level of trust from the birds.
We put out "hot meats", which are capsicum-infused sunflower kernels. Squirrels can't tolerate the spice, and birds aren't bothered by it...saves a LOT of seed. Only remaining prob is Crows, and I don't like to discuss that issue while sober! We have a lot of critter-visitors, but BB has us beat by a nose!
+Glynn Jackson I have never tried the pepper seed - good to hear it works - no Crows here I think because not enough open space mostly thick jungle! BB
theres blue jays in my back yard too all I need now is peanuts & a camera! can't wait to get me one so I can take pics and videos like this! such beautiful birds
Where do blue jays live? I live in southern California and according to a bunch of different bird guides they arent even supposed to be near here. However, I have seen many in the mountains and forests of the Big Bear Lake area.
I'm guessing this takes place in or around Texas due to the species of birds and squirel. BTW Texas has well over 200 species of bird and is the home of the world birding center.
I didn't realize the star from "Hart to Hart" also composed classical music. Was that before or after he allegedly killed Natalie Wood? Lol Seriously though, what kind of bird was the all black bird with the tight, shiny feathers? I'm surprised it took that long for the squirrel to figure it out, and I'm surprised he didn't come back again!
Excellent video. loved it. The Blue Jays and the bird that flew in at 3:40 are very pretty birds. What is the name of the other bird. The slow mo looked excellent. Thank you☺♥♥☺
Dee W...I think the bird is a Boat-tailed Grackle. If I'm not mistaken, they compete with crows so far as territory goes:it's one or the other,but generally not both.
I am very sad ,because my blue jay is not coming back. He has been out for 4 days now. I have him for almost 2 years since he was a baby bird . It was gift from my cat.He came back every evening before he gone.i miss him so badly.
First off, this was an enjoyable video and I gave it a thumbs up, as Blue Jays are very special birds. But I have a question, how about seeing if you can get them to not need to wait for you to leave to get the nuts. Try to get them to actually eat out of your hand! This is quite a challenge, I know... Blue Jays can be very skittish rarely ever trustworthy (at least the ones here on the west coast), I know from experience. When the worst of my Hereditary Disease started in my mid 20's while at college in Santa Barbara, I used to have to spend days on end lying in bed as well as sitting on my porch. I used to eat pistachios on the porch and throw the ones I couldn't open over the balcony to the small garden area in the center of the courtyard. I noticed every time I threw one over a blue jay would go get it off the brushy area on the ground and fly it off to his nest in one of the nearby trees in the courtyard. So after many days of this right around lunchtime, I started to place the pistachios on the balcony railing rather than throw them over. Over the next days I started placing them on them closer and closer to my chair, but still on the black balcony railing. After much patience by the bird and myself, we were able to establish a connection to the tone of mutual understanding. I knew that the bird was no harm to me and the Blue Jay knew that I was no harm to him/her. We eloped... Just kidding, but it felt very good to have this little delicate, wild, and free Blue Jay eat a pistachio, ever so delicately with his beak, right out of my sweatless palm. It was beautiful. I even turned the experience into a song for part of my musical repertoire, entitled "My Sunshine (Blue Jay)". Birds are so cool, thanks for putting up these videos, MyBackyardBirding. Keep it up!
+Chimp Daddy Thanks so much for your nice feedback. That's a great story about your Blue Jay experience. Blue Jays are one of the few Backyard birds that seem to be able to make a connection with humans. In the past I had several that would eat out of my hand - the videos are here: th-cam.com/video/tAFE1SkiGt0/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/SFBXWTG7160/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/FWjtnfBjWQI/w-d-xo.html As you know it was quite a challenge. But the current generation of Blue Jays are too careful to come to my hand. A few will come very close but not land on my hand. But several do wait for me and watch for me in the window in the morning - they can really brighten one's day. BB
Incorrect. This is directly from the fish and wildlife services website. “Peanuts in the shell and peanut pieces are especially attractive to woodpeckers, jays, nuthatches, titmice and chickadees. Roasted, no salt and no sugar, are the healthiest peanuts for feeding birds; avoid peanut hearts and raw peanuts.”
We put out "hot meats", which are capsicum-infused sunflower kernels. Squirrels can't tolerate the spice, and birds aren't bothered by it...saves a LOT of seed. Only remaining prob is Crows, and I don't like to discuss that issue while sober! We have a lot of critter-visitors, but BB has us beat by a nose!
Excellent video. loved it. The Blue Jays and the bird that flew in at 3:40 are very pretty birds. What is the name of the other bird. The slow mo looked excellent. Thank you☺♥♥☺
We put out "hot meats", which are capsicum-infused sunflower kernels. Squirrels can't tolerate the spice, and birds aren't bothered by it...saves a LOT of seed. Only remaining prob is Crows, and I don't like to discuss that issue while sober! We have a lot of critter-visitors, but BB has us beat by a nose!
Love those bluejays. So so animated. 🐦🐦🐦
Nothing shy about those beautiful babies.
Getting pretty close to being able to hand feed the blue jays in my own backyard soon. I've got them to the point they'll come within arm's reach of me for the peanuts I've been offering, and they typically come to check out if I've got any food any time I'm outside (so I've started carrying a pocket of peanuts on me). Once I can hand feed them I'll figure I've earned my birdfeeding badge.
It’s been 5 years.. have you hand fed them?
I'm pretty confident I could have made more progress by now but I've been taking things very slowly over time. Something I didn't mention is that my birds are not from a suburban setting, but very rural. So when I started trying to get them used to a human presence, I had to start from complete scratch. I do have them to the point that some of them will quickly snatch peanuts off my hand. On a whole they are much more comfortable with my presence now to the point that when I am putting the peanuts out they will 'swarm' in around me, so close that they hit me with their wings sometimes. I've learned that dealing with blue jays is a lot like dealing with toddlers who will take any opportunity to cheat because they're so smart. So sometimes when I want to coax them in really close I need to be more disciplined and hold back on giving them the peanuts right away, and instead try to make them a bit impatient.
Love feeding the Blue Jays peanuts! I have a family that comes to my workplace and gets them from me everyday. If i don't come right out they call to me lol
This is such a cute video which is only enhanced by that adorable description. Good work!
I tell you, I put out peanuts, and within an hour our 4 Blue Jays have taken them all. LOL Love it.
Great music!
+Ricky L Jones Yeah, I'm going to go broke feeding the blue jay horde and squirrel battalions!
BB
+MyBackyardBirding Oh I know the feeling! Between the Blue Jays and the Red Bellied Woodpecker we go through a large bag of nuts a month. LOL
LOVE THIS. ONE OF OUR FAVORITE VIDEOS!!!
This is very stunning
that slomo where he just has to have those peanuts inspite of the camera was so cute, and love how the squirrel rolled his like a cigar..lol..great video share.
+Nature Inspired Snips n Snaps Yeah, he looked like Groucho Marx when he picked it up!
They sure like those peanuts. lol. Cute birds. Cute squirrel too. Thank you! Thumbs up! :))
Wow great video! Perfect music and excellent close ups!!!
omg it gets better and better. Excellent storytelling! Thanks for your work on this. Beautiful.
Glad you enjoy it! BB
Your videos are so beautiful. Thank you for posting them.
This was so entertaining. A great show. I'm always amazed at how fast the scrub jays make away with every single peanut I put for them.
+Karen Hancock They are a blast and now they always following me in the Backyard looking for a peanut! I think they've learned to hide them and hurry back for more
BB
Wagner is perfect for Blue Jays (and I LOVE jays!)! I admire that woodpecker's courage, too.
They are not really 'trained', but are just coming back to a location of consistent free food that they like; exactly what they do in general.
Although this might be a good pre-step towards slowly getting them used to you being there and perhaps get them to stand on you hand over time; although this could take a very long to establish such a level of trust from the birds.
Did you train the woodpeckers, too? This wasn't the most relaxing video I've seen today, but I really enjoyed it. Thank you.
Very amusing and wonderful to watch... Loved it. Thanks for sharing. All the best, Julie.
+chaldon2view Thanks Julie!
BB
We put out "hot meats", which are capsicum-infused sunflower kernels. Squirrels can't tolerate the spice, and birds aren't bothered by it...saves a LOT of seed. Only remaining prob is Crows, and I don't like to discuss that issue while sober! We have a lot of critter-visitors, but BB has us beat by a nose!
+Glynn Jackson I have never tried the pepper seed - good to hear it works - no Crows here I think because not enough open space mostly thick jungle!
BB
Stai zitto
Great video...love the blue jays!
So nice I love to see this.Great! Thank you! And yes i saw also a squirrel in the distance.
Thank you!
theres blue jays in my back yard too all I need now is peanuts & a camera! can't wait to get me one so I can take pics and videos like this! such beautiful birds
+Ana Meza There you go, peanuts and a camera - and a lot of fun
BB
What kind of camera do you recommend?
Awesome it relaxes me thank u so much u r a great human being
Thank you!
I like the part where the bird grabs a peanut and flies off with it.
Very nice BB! I saw a squirrel on the fence too.
+Annemieke van Leeuwen They are always around!
Where do blue jays live? I live in southern California and according to a bunch of different bird guides they arent even supposed to be near here. However, I have seen many in the mountains and forests of the Big Bear Lake area.
Oh this is FUN! And WHOS trained?
I put peanuts out for the squirrels, next thing I know the bluejays are taking off with everything.
those great tailed grackles were crashing the party xD (loved seeing the male red bellied woodpecker and the jays:P)
+AProudCatLover The Grackles are starting to cram the Jays style!
Common grackle
"Good show!"
-Pops
Fantastic loved it. Terry
I gave up trying to feed our Bluejays peanuts because the Ravens and/or Crows
were taking all of them and the Bluejays weren't getting any.
Make the birds work a little for the peanut reward.
Wonderful video share!
+ButterflySpirit Thanks Sue!
BB
I'm guessing this takes place in or around Texas due to the species of birds and squirel. BTW Texas has well over 200 species of bird and is the home of the world birding center.
I didn't realize the star from "Hart to Hart" also composed classical music. Was that before or after he allegedly killed Natalie Wood? Lol Seriously though, what kind of bird was the all black bird with the tight, shiny feathers? I'm surprised it took that long for the squirrel to figure it out, and I'm surprised he didn't come back again!
Отлично получилось! :)
Excellent work! :)
Excellent video. loved it. The Blue Jays and the bird that flew in at 3:40 are very pretty birds. What is the name of the other bird. The slow mo looked excellent.
Thank you☺♥♥☺
+Dee W A Grackle and a Red Bellied Woodpecker make appearances!
BB
The same exact thing happens in my yard. They will signal me for a feeding. B TW, they love peanut triplets.
Sorry folks, my bad on the repeats.
spoiled. ♡
love it. :-}
Dee W...I think the bird is a Boat-tailed Grackle. If I'm not mistaken, they compete with crows so far as territory goes:it's one or the other,but generally not both.
+Glynn Jackson I think those where boat-tailed.
What video camera do you use? Nice color & clarity.
+Whitney Kovener That's a Polaroid Action Cam
lol, I got dive bombed by the blue jay flock in my back yard this weekend. it almost looks like I have a black eye, and yet I continue to feed them..
04:15 😆
Extra subscriber from on 3rd smartphone,now you have 3 subs Total,2 smartphones and ipad
Awesome 😎 BB
Is it Mordecai?
I am very sad ,because my blue jay is not coming back. He has been out for 4 days now. I have him for almost 2 years since he was a baby bird . It was gift from my cat.He came back every evening before he gone.i miss him so badly.
iv'e got to admit; that's funny.
are those bird scratches on your bench thing?
+jackie the golden jackal Yes, their talons are incredibly sharp!
BB
Wow
They dont like dem dare black birds
First off, this was an enjoyable video and I gave it a thumbs up, as Blue Jays are very special birds. But I have a question, how about seeing if you can get them to not need to wait for you to leave to get the nuts. Try to get them to actually eat out of your hand! This is quite a challenge, I know...
Blue Jays can be very skittish rarely ever trustworthy (at least the ones here on the west coast), I know from experience. When the worst of my Hereditary Disease started in my mid 20's while at college in Santa Barbara, I used to have to spend days on end lying in bed as well as sitting on my porch. I used to eat pistachios on the porch and throw the ones I couldn't open over the balcony to the small garden area in the center of the courtyard. I noticed every time I threw one over a blue jay would go get it off the brushy area on the ground and fly it off to his nest in one of the nearby trees in the courtyard. So after many days of this right around lunchtime, I started to place the pistachios on the balcony railing rather than throw them over. Over the next days I started placing them on them closer and closer to my chair, but still on the black balcony railing.
After much patience by the bird and myself, we were able to establish a connection to the tone of mutual understanding. I knew that the bird was no harm to me and the Blue Jay knew that I was no harm to him/her. We eloped... Just kidding, but it felt very good to have this little delicate, wild, and free Blue Jay eat a pistachio, ever so delicately with his beak, right out of my sweatless palm. It was beautiful. I even turned the experience into a song for part of my musical repertoire, entitled "My Sunshine (Blue Jay)".
Birds are so cool, thanks for putting up these videos, MyBackyardBirding. Keep it up!
+Chimp Daddy Thanks so much for your nice feedback. That's a great story about your Blue Jay experience. Blue Jays are one of the few Backyard birds that seem to be able to make a connection with humans. In the past I had several that would eat out of my hand - the videos are here:
th-cam.com/video/tAFE1SkiGt0/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/SFBXWTG7160/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/FWjtnfBjWQI/w-d-xo.html
As you know it was quite a challenge. But the current generation of Blue Jays are too careful to come to my hand. A few will come very close but not land on my hand. But several do wait for me and watch for me in the window in the morning - they can really brighten one's day.
BB
is that cooked peanut with salt ?
what is the black and white bird with the orang/red tuft at 4:20?
uhuh that is a female redheaded woodpecker i have 4 i feed there fun to watch
I just hope that everyone knows to only feed them Raw peanuts. All of the others will eventually kill the little guys. God Bless
Incorrect. This is directly from the fish and wildlife services website.
“Peanuts in the shell and peanut pieces are especially attractive to woodpeckers, jays, nuthatches, titmice and chickadees. Roasted, no salt and no sugar, are the healthiest peanuts for feeding birds; avoid peanut hearts and raw peanuts.”
Lol
They are thieves....that's all.
We put out "hot meats", which are capsicum-infused sunflower kernels. Squirrels can't tolerate the spice, and birds aren't bothered by it...saves a LOT of seed. Only remaining prob is Crows, and I don't like to discuss that issue while sober! We have a lot of critter-visitors, but BB has us beat by a nose!
Excellent video. loved it. The Blue Jays and the bird that flew in at 3:40 are very pretty birds. What is the name of the other bird. The slow mo looked excellent.
Thank you☺♥♥☺
+Dee W Thanks, the dark ones are Grackles an the other a Red Bellied Woodpecker!
Thank you for the info. I am being amazed by how many different varieties of beautiful birds there are that grace our planet.☺♥♥♥☺
We put out "hot meats", which are capsicum-infused sunflower kernels. Squirrels can't tolerate the spice, and birds aren't bothered by it...saves a LOT of seed. Only remaining prob is Crows, and I don't like to discuss that issue while sober! We have a lot of critter-visitors, but BB has us beat by a nose!