Blue Jays are intelligent birds, and will chirp each other during a game of hiding peanut ‘Easter Eggs’
“Squawk Squawk! Squawk!”
The grey and blue jays were making a racket over peanuts.
A large grey jay had dropped the peanut hiding on the edge of a hanging flower pot, and was none too pleased about it.
Red, a small red squirrel, was too quick, and grabbed the fallen peanut before the jay could.
Unfortunately for that poor jay, a dozen other birds had watched the drop from surrounding trees.
It started right away. The chirping was immediate and pointed. I might not speak fluent ‘Jay’, but I know sarcastic ribbing when I hear it! The Jays were having a mighty laugh at his expense. No mercy!
The response was some very pointed, loud squawking in return. Do Jays have an ‘F’ word? I think they do.
Birds have personalities, and express emotions just like people.
It’s fun to play with the jays. Feed them peanuts, and you make friends real fast. But just tossing them peanuts is too easy.
Hide peanuts like ‘Easter Eggs’
Instead, I hide peanuts like Easter eggs. I know the Jays are watching, even if I can’t see them.
Any hiding spot will do. A window sill. Hanging plants. Outdoor furniture. A favorite of mine is a knot hole in a fence board. Jam the nut. The jay will work it loose or peck at the shell until it breaks. Sometimes, the jay would get frustrated.
Judging by the shrill “SQUAWK!” I received, with the jay staring directly at me, he was not impressed. Or she. I can seldom tell. I’m sure I’ve been squawked at by both.
SWOOSH!! A jay darts in as soon as I step away from the hanging flower pot, and snags the peanut. Feeling very proud of himself, the jay perched on a branch to show off his prize.
Smart birds, Jays memorize hiding spots
Blue and Grey Jays have great eyesight and love games. It’s fabulous entertainment, and kids of all ages will be amazed at the intelligence of the birds. Jays have a large vocabulary and tight family units.
Smart birds, they learn quickly, and absolutely play along. I watch them check the same hiding places over and over. Because of the way they move their heads to see, it’s obvious where they are looking.
I recently spent some time near Kerney, close to Algonquin Park, some three hours north of Toronto. I had myself a captive audience of at least a dozen jays.
A big of peanuts is required for the trip. Many friends are to be made.
Many hiding places to test the bird’s eyesight.
The Jays are smart enough to learn hiding places, and return often to check them out.
If I’m sitting outside and the jays are looking for peanuts and don’t see any, I hear about it right away.
“Squawk! Squawk!” The jays look you dead in the eye and let you know that the current situation is unacceptable.
Misses mocked by squirrels
Perhaps the most entertaining moments are the misses. Dropped peanuts often get grabbed by squirrels or chipmunks. The jays will search the ground. I’ve seen squirrels mock the jays. Well, it sure looks like mocking to me, when a squirrel stands up and stares at a jay while rubbing his (her?) hands together.
Looking at the squirrel’s dark eyes shine, there is no doubt.
The wildlife that lives among us has adapted to humans. Respect the animals and birds, and have fun with them. They are smarter than people give them credit for. Well, the safe animals, anyway. I’m not tossing blueberries to bears.
The Jays will come within a foot of me when I hold out a peanut, but no closer. Not yet. They will, I can see they are thinking about it when they tilt their head, like a confused dog.
Jays with names
Some birds have distinct plumage, making them easier to identify. ‘Fussy’ has a deep purple crown, and will drop one peanut if he sees another he likes better. The only Jay I’ve seen doing that. ‘Slick’ is a juvenile Blue Jay that has a flat crown. It’s as if he used a handful of hair grease to flatten it down. ‘Crown’ is a big Blue Jay with a huge dark blue crown and a serious strut. He likes to be loud, the bird has an ego.
Now I’m trying to get a jay to catch a peanut in the air. I swear this one jay knew exactly what I was doing. He sat on a low hydro wire and kept swooping through the air toward the tossed peanut. Despite several attempts, we were never able to connect. Never really close.
I’ll see him on the next trip to Kearney. We’ll try some more. I can imagine the chirping that will go on when he finally catches one!!
Copyright 2024, Michael Williams. All rights reserved.
