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10 Best Bird Feeders for Blue Jays in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

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bird feeder near window

Blue Jays are beautiful birds famous across North America for their striking color and sizeable frame. They eat a large portion of nuts and seeds, as well as some bug species.

Blue Jays are commonplace in the eastern United States and Canada.

If you want to attract them to your backyard, you’ll need the right type of feeder, which is a strong, stiff feeder that will not sway under the birds’ hefty size.

In the reviews listed below, we’ll show you which feeders are our top picks for these birds and help you draw them closer to your patio in no time.hummingbird divider

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Pesky-Pet Squirrel-Be-Gone II Pesky-Pet Squirrel-Be-Gone II
  • Aesthetically pleasing
  • Deters pests
  • Fairly priced
  • Best Value
    Second place
    WOSIBO Hanging Bird Feeder Tray WOSIBO Hanging Bird Feeder Tray
  • Holds ample food
  • Doesn’t sway easily
  • Affordable
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Squirrel Buster Standard Squirrel Buster Standard
  • Adjustable weight mechanism
  • Deters squirrels or large rodents
  • Durable materials
  • PETPRIME Bird Feeder PETPRIME Bird Feeder
  • Affordable
  • Posts for resting birds
  • Transparent fill area
  • BOLITE 18014 Bird Feeding Station BOLITE 18014 Bird Feeding Station
  • Inexpensive
  • Multiple feeding trays
  • Won’t fall in extreme weather
  • The 10 Best Bird Feeders for Blue Jays

    1. Pesky-Pet Squirrel-Be-Gone II – Best Overall

    Pesky-Pet Squirrel-Be-Gone II

    Materials: Metal
    Dimension: 82” L x 14.4” W x 10.71” H

    Anyone who lives in Blue Jay country knows that squirrels are always competing for a meal. However, the Pesky-Pet Squirrel-Be-Gone II is the solution that integrates a foolproof measure for these little thieves and still provides a beautiful household ornament that has a ton of features.

    Luckily, the front of the house has a weight-sensitive plate that drops if a lot of pressure is applied, so pests will fall off while still allowing Blue Jays to feed. The feeder is pretty large and holds plenty of seeds, so you don’t have to refill it often. Even if you do, it’s easy to replenish it—you just remove the roof from the house and dump the feed inside.

    Pros
    • Aesthetically pleasing
    • Deters pests
    • Fairly priced
    • Holds a lot of food
    • Easy to refill
    Cons
    • Large
    • Heavy

    2. WOSIBO Hanging Bird Feeder Tray– Best Value

    WOSIBO Hanging Bird Feeder Tray

    Materials: Metal
    Dimension: 5” L x 7.5” W x 1.4” H

    The WOSIBO Hanging Bird Feeder Tray incorporates a convenient tray for attracting Blue Jays. The broad base enables their feet to rest easily on the edge while having a ton of real estate for seeds or nuts. It’s truly the best Blue Jay feeder for the money because it is durable without costing too much.

    The heavier weight of the birds won’t be an issue because the feeder won’t flip over without a ton of force, which is unlikely for most birds anyways. Multiple birds can use it at once as well. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have any system in place to prevent squirrels and pests from stealing the food and only comes in one color.

    Pros
    • Holds ample food
    • Doesn’t sway easily
    • Affordable
    • Lightweight
    • Easy to fill
    Cons
    • Doesn’t deter pests
    • Limited color options

    3. Squirrel Buster Standard Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder – Premium Choice

    Squirrel Buster Standard

    Materials: Metal
    Dimension: 5.0” L x 5.0” W x 13.0” H

    This feeder is ideal for those who want to get rid of pesky squirrels while attracting beautiful blue birds. We all know how annoying it can be to see a large rodent hogging the birds’ food supply. Luckily, this model by Squirrel Buster integrates a weight-sensitive mechanism that shuts the feeding area if triggered.

    By the way, the weight mechanism is adjustable. This means that you can alter the weight limit for how heavy an animal has to be to close the door to the seeds. So, if you find that it’s not closing when the squirrels attack, you can change the setting accordingly. You’ll end up saving money from any birdseed you would otherwise lose from pests.

    Pros
    • Adjustable weight mechanism
    • Deters squirrels or large rodents
    • Durable materials
    Cons
    • Price

    4. PETPRIME Bird Feeder

    PETPRIME Bird Feeder

    Materials: Plastic, metal
    Dimension: 7.0” L x 7.0” W” x 7.3” H

    The PETPRIME hanging feeder is a low-cost product for people that want good foot space for birds. In fact, the posts are long enough to allow Blue Jays to rest on the feeder, so this feeder is a perfect size and plenty durable for larger birds. It features several different openings for easy seed access, which is excellent for feeding multiple birds at one time.

    However, the metal isn’t rust-proof and may break down over time.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Posts for resting birds
    • Transparent fill area
    Cons
    • Wire hanger rusts

    5. BOLITE 18014 Bird Feeding Station

    Materials: Metal
    Dimension: 9” L x 7.83”W x 4.92” H

    The fifth item on our list is the BOLITE Bird Feeding Station. This feeder has an interesting design that allows for more than one blend of seed since it comes with various metal trays that you can choose to use or keep off the feeder. Since it’s placed in the ground, it will be quite sturdy and won’t sway in the wind or when large Blue Jays land on it.

    The only concern we have with this bird feeder is its effect on your lawn since it might tear it up when you install it or move it to another location. The feeder is also a bit bulk upon delivery.

    Pros
    • Inexpensive
    • Multiple feeding trays
    • Won’t fall in extreme weather
    Cons
    • Must be installed on the grass
    • Bulky

    6. BOLITE 18039 Bird Feeder

    BOLITE 18039 Bird Feeder

    Materials: Metal
    Dimension: 29” L x 8.86” W x 1.81” H

    This is another BOLITE bird feeder on our list that features a simple two-level pan build that allows for open access for any critter. Unfortunately, this also means that squirrels might be making some extra visits. The steps for refilling it are straightforward and the multiple levels are welcoming for many different birds. Luckily, there are two separate pans made from sturdy metal materials, so Blue Jays shouldn’t have a problem eating from it.

    This bird feeder also comes in a bronze style and is much flatter and slightly angled to the sides, so the birds can stand directly on the fill area to snatch some grub.

    Pros
    • Suitable for birds of all sizes
    • Two levels and colors
    • Durable material
    Cons
    • Won’t deter pests
    • All seeds get wet in the rain

    7. Nature’s Way Bird Products Cedar Platform Tray Bird Feeder

    Nature’s Way Bird

    Materials: Cedar
    Dimension: 12.0” L x 12.0” W x 2.25” H

    The Cedar Platform Bird Feeder from Nature’s Way Bird Products is a great option for Blue Jay enthusiasts because it has tons of space for medium to large-sized birds to rest and eat. There’s a convenient water drain if there’s unexpected precipitation, as well as a two-hook hanger for added stability. Plus, the hanger can be used for the birds to perch on. It’s also easy to clean.

    Unfortunately, this is another feeder that doesn’t deter pests like squirrels and raccoons. While the cedar wood is beautiful, it can also rot over time and won’t last forever.

    Pros
    • Drainage holes
    • Cleanable tray
    • Two hooks for added stability
    Cons
    • Doesn’t deter pests
    • Wood can rot over time

    8. Sunnydaze Indigo Flower Fly-Through Bird Feeder

    Sunnydaze Indigo

    Materials: Glass
    Dimension: 10.0” L x 3.5” W x 10.0” H

    The Sunnydaze glass feeder matches the blue hues of the Jays nicely. It’s got a small drainage hole in the bottom for easy water management. Additionally, the wire hanger is pretty durable, although it can be prone to rust.

    We’ll be honest and say that this feeder isn’t for everyone. Since the glass isn’t transparent, it can be challenging to view the birds while they eat. It’s also made entirely of glass, so there will be a lot of cleaning to do if it breaks. We think that this is best for people who want a unique-looking feeder that will match a Blue Jay’s foliage, but it isn’t great for watching their movement and behavior.

    Pros
    • Unique design
    • Drainage hole
    Cons
    • Hanger rusts over time
    • Not ideal for bird watching

    9. GrayBunny Premium Steel Sunflower and Peanut Feeder

    Materials: Alloy steel
    Dimension: 5” L x 4.0” W x 4.0” H

    This tall GrayBunny Premium Steel Sunflower and Peanut Feeder is about as simple as it gets. Its form is just a long, tubular shaft with a net-like feeding area. We think it could have a better design because there are no perches for the jays—they’ll have to work a bit harder to latch on and will most likely go back and forth from their nest to the feeder to stock up.

    This feeder isn’t very expensive, which is its main advantage. It’s also not difficult to hang. However, it does make it harder for Blue Jays to get a decent meal.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Easy to install
    Cons
    • No posts for resting birds
    • Harder to remove nuts and seeds

    10. Songbird Essentials SE6020 Whole Peanut Wreath Feeder

    Songbird Essentials

    Materials: Metal
    Dimension: 13.0” L x 13.0” W x 2.75” H

    Wreath feeders are a special type of feeder that is mostly good for holding large nuts and seeds. We decided to add the Songbird Essentials Wreath Feeder to the list because some bird watchers may only use peanuts for their backyard birds. Jays are medium- to large-sized birds and shouldn’t have to worry about breaking the larger seeds open.

    The one downside to this feeder is that it can’t hold smaller seeds, or else they will fall straight through onto the ground. They also make it somewhat difficult for many birds to put their legs on because the hollow center is slightly small and occupies most of the foot space.

    Pros
    • Good for large food pieces
    • Excellent water drainage
    Cons
    • Only one bird can feed at a time
    • Can’t use smaller seeds

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    Conclusion

    Our highest-rated feeders are those that come with many features and deliver the best results for any type of backyard bird, especially Blue Jays. Our choice for the best overall Blue Jay feeder is the Pesky-Pet Squirrel-Be-Gone II because of its reasonable cost, unique ornamentation, and great quality. If you’re looking for the best value, our choice is the WOSIBO Bird Tray, which gives great stability, food volume, and a low price. The products we listed are great for most people because they match a wide array of budgets and have the right construction for this type of bird. We hope that our reviews have given you worthwhile info in purchasing your next bird feeder for Blue Jays.


    Featured Image Credit: Elena Kirey, Shutterstock

    About the Author Robert Sparks

    Robert’s obsession with all things optical started early in life, when his optician father would bring home prototypes for Robert to play with. Nowadays, Robert is dedicated to helping others find the right optics for their needs. His hobbies include astronomy, astrophysics, and model building. Originally from Newark, NJ, he resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the nighttime skies are filled with glittering stars.