Hand Feeding California Scrub Jays

I've been training this California Scrub Jay to eat from my hand for years and finally, my work is paying off.

[@patricknelson]

2:17 - "Woah, this guy's loaded!"

[@AlamoPintado]

Very cool video, especially the part at the end when you have a handful of peanuts and the Jay can't decide which nut to take. I have a pair of California Scrub Jays that visit my yard 2-3 times a day, they're a lot of fun to feed, they're super smart and have allot of personality.

[@NerdRahtio]

I have a very friendly scrub jay who hangs outside my office window, and often lands by me when I am outside. He (or she) will hop along beside me as I walk from my truck to the office, so it seems they are a prime candidate. Are peanuts the best to use? I want to give this a try.

[@johnwilson7680]

I know it's been a long time but I'm curious did you ever have any luck with peanuts?

[@NerdRahtio]

@@johnwilson7680 not really, but I did get one to come into my office for a bit, and they still come very close.

[@luckylady6369]

I have one here that started eating from my hands after a couple months. It is already familiar with humans. My next task is to teach it how to land on my shoulder

[@ClayLoomis1958]

I have a pair Scrub Jays in my backyard too. I feed them peanuts without the shell, just to keep the mess down. The male will land on me, but the female will just watch me until I back away. They eat one or two, then bury the rest around the yard.

[@heatherrose415]

How did you train him? I have one that gets so close to me and doesn’t seem scared. I would love to feed him by hand

[@msnkoolaid6632]

just be patient with them, hold a peanut out in the center of your palm and remain calm, it should just fly by and snatch it or land on your hand stare at you for a bit then fly away with the peanut.

[@quambalebingle]

Wholesome

[@LessTalkMoreDelicious]

Are these birds friendly? I’ve noticed they always stare at me and hang out when gardening.

[@ClayLoomis1958]

Yes, they are friendly, and smart.

[@ChoctawNawtic4]

I just started getting one to take peanut out of my hand laid flat. He will like dive bomb my hand and briefly put his feet on it and grabs the peanut then fly away. I'm going to try the way you're doing it in this video next!

[@dorothybrown-williams4059]

dey like-a da peanut

[@annie-ww8ux]

That's cool