I have noticed some interesting and useful behavior by Westen Scrub Jays here in NW Oregon.
A few years ago, before I started feeding the birds here at home, every summer would find us overwhelmed by yellow jackets. I am slightly allergic to their sting so I was always trying to find ways to kill them, etc.
I started putting out some bird seed, bread crumbs, etc. and several Jays started hanging around the yard. I soon began seeing yellow jacket nests around the yard on the ground and wondered "what is knocking down those pesky wasp nests?". The nests on the ground had every egg and larvae eaten. Finally one day I saw a Western Scrub Jay "hovering" under the eaves of the house, surrounded by angry yellow jackets, pecking at the nest. He finally knocked it to the ground and then picked out every egg and larvae as I watched. I couldn't believe it!
I haven't seen them eating the adults but they love the eggs and larvae.
They are indefatigable and can find wasp nests that are beyond my reach.
Summers here are much more pleasant now with the obliging Jays on patrol. No more yellow jackets!
Now if only I can get them to go after hornets...
A few years ago, before I started feeding the birds here at home, every summer would find us overwhelmed by yellow jackets. I am slightly allergic to their sting so I was always trying to find ways to kill them, etc.
I started putting out some bird seed, bread crumbs, etc. and several Jays started hanging around the yard. I soon began seeing yellow jacket nests around the yard on the ground and wondered "what is knocking down those pesky wasp nests?". The nests on the ground had every egg and larvae eaten. Finally one day I saw a Western Scrub Jay "hovering" under the eaves of the house, surrounded by angry yellow jackets, pecking at the nest. He finally knocked it to the ground and then picked out every egg and larvae as I watched. I couldn't believe it!
I haven't seen them eating the adults but they love the eggs and larvae.
They are indefatigable and can find wasp nests that are beyond my reach.
Summers here are much more pleasant now with the obliging Jays on patrol. No more yellow jackets!
Now if only I can get them to go after hornets...
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