How Can I Care for a Baby Blue Jay Bird?

A blue jay is a bright blue bird common in the central and eastern United States. Baby blue jays generally stay with their parents until they are at least two months old. Before you decide to commit to feeding a baby blue jay, determine if it's a nestling or a fledgling. A fledgling is simply a baby bird that is learning to leave the nest and will not need to be fed. However, a nestling likely fell out of his nest and will require additional help.

Things You'll Need

  • Blue jay food
  • Nuts
  • Grains
  • Berries
  • Dog food
  • Eye dropper
  • Shoebox
  • Fabric scraps
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Instructions

    • 1

      Ask your local feed or pet store if they carry blue jay food. Soften the food with water and get it ready to feed to the baby. If you can't find commercial food, you can make up your own.

    • 2

      Blend raw, unsalted nuts, soft grains, fresh berries and a variety of produce for the baby blue jay. You can also add protein -- a little cooked ground meat or canned dog food -- to the mix. Blue jays are omnivorous birds, so this is a good blend.

    • 3

      Add a little water to the mixture to make it milkshake-like in consistency.

    • 4

      Use a pointed eye dropper or drinking straw to place the food into the back of baby bird's mouth. Baby birds naturally open their mouths when it is time to eat.

    • 5

      Allow the bird to swallow the food completely before offering it more.

    • 6

      Feed the baby bird frequently throughout the day. This could be as often as every hour or two.

    • 7

      Provide the baby blue jay with a warm place to live, like a shoebox with some fabric scraps in it.

    • 8

      Contact your local humane society, animal shelter or wildlife rehabilitation center if you are unable to feed the bird as frequently as it will require.