Go Blue Jays ! How to Attract Blue Jays and Woodpeckers to your backyard: Best Foods and Feeders

Go Blue Jays ! How to Attract Blue Jays and Woodpeckers to your backyard: Best Foods and Feeders

Everyone is all about the Blue Jays right now as we watch the World Series unfold! So, we thought it would be fun to put out a blog post about attracting Blue Jays to your backyard. We find that often Blue Jays and Large Woodpecker enjoy eating similar seeds and food so this article will address attracting both to your backyard.

Blue Jays and Woodpeckers are among the most fascinating birds to watch. Their colorful plumage, distinctive calls, and lively personalities make them a joy to have around your yard. If you’re wondering how to attract these beautiful birds—including favorites like blue jays, flickers, and downy woodpeckers—the secret is offering the right bird food and feeders.

Mother Nature’s carries several high-quality bird foods that both Blue Jays and Woodpeckers love. Here’s a quick guide to help you get started.

🥜 Peanuts — A Blue Jay and Woodpecker Favorite

Blue Jays and Woodpeckers love peanuts! They’re rich in protein and energy, perfect for these active birds. Offer Mother Nature’s Skinless or Red-Skinned Peanuts, or whole in shell peanuts in the appropriate peanut feeder to attract blue jays and woodpeckers, and you’ll likely see nuthatches visiting too.

🪶 Suet — High Energy for Busy Birds

Both Blue Jays and Woodpeckers rely on suet for fuel, especially during cooler months. Try Pine Tree Farms Peanut Butter Suet or Insect Suet. These blends are packed with nutrients that keep your backyard birds active and healthy all year long.

🌻 Sunflower — Easy and Nutritious

Sunflower seeds (striped or black oil) are another excellent choice, and sunflower chips are especially popular with Blue Jays and Woodpeckers. Our Mother Nature’s Medium Sunflower Chips work perfectly in tray or fly-through feeders, making them easy for both species to enjoy; or choose one of our mixes with a high percentage of sunflower like our Mother Nature’s Gourmet Feeder Blend.

🐦 Jay and Woodpecker Mix — All-in-One Attraction

For an easy, all-purpose solution, try our Mother Nature’s Jay and Woodpecker Mix. This premium blend has a high peanut content and striped sunflower seeds—ideal for attracting larger woodpeckers and bold blue jays that prefer heartier food options.

✅ What to Look for in a Feeder

For Blue Jays

Blue Jays are fairly large songbirds, so they need a spacious platform or tray-style feeder, or a feeder with wide perches for comfortable feeding.

They favor peanuts and sunflower seeds, so the feeder must accommodate larger foods easily.

Durable materials are also important—metal or heavy-duty plastic feeders work best—since Blue Jays’ size and activity can stress flimsy designs.

For Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers have different feeding habits; they like to cling and peck, often at suet or large seeds and nuts.

A specialized suet feeder or one with a tail prop—which allows the bird to brace itself while feeding—is ideal.

Because of their strong pecking and clinging behavior, the feeder should be sturdy and made from metal or heavy-duty wood to withstand regular use.

Bring More Blue Jays and Woodpeckers to Your Feeder

Offering the right mix of food and using the right feeders will make your backyard irresistible to Blue Jays and Woodpeckers. Whether you’re a seasoned bird watcher or just getting started, you can find all the supplies wherever Mother Nature’s is sold.

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