Is it possible to tame a blue jay?

Answer 1

If this is a bird that is Native to where you live then you are not allowed to keep one as a pet without a Federal Wildlife Permit (even ones illegally raised in a home). In the US, as in Canada, and probably many other European countries, there are some exceptions for keeping 'wild' birds... those being birds that were introduced on purpose or accidentally such as the European Starling and the House Sparrow (aka English Sparrow). Even these birds can be disallowed in some areas even though they are an invasive species.

Working as a legally permitted wildlife re-habber and vet tech I will tell you from my experience Jays, as wild adults, are rather resentful of humans who keep them from their freedom. Some may adapt over time to captivity but require a large flight... Life in a cage like a small birds would not be appropriate... so those kept due to irreparable damage or injury are very special case birds with very special needs.

Jays of all varieties are very intelligent and can be aggressive even though those that are raised since young and must be kept due to some sort of injury or defect may imprint upon the people who raise them but their dietary needs and special cages, or need for freedom of flight within a flight cage or a home, is not what most people want or can handle.

If you have found a hurt or orphaned native species of Jay of any type you must find a licensed bird re-habilitator who can help. You can never capture one out of the wild since IF the bird survives... or not... you can, and will probably face legal action on a Federal level if caught!

If you want to help wild birds then you can take classes to get a permit if you can acquire the knowledge and proper equipment to care for them. If you do not want to do you will still need to learn all you can before starting but look into helping those nonnative species no one wants or cares for.

House Sparrows are incredibly intelligent and if raised alone as babies can imprint heavily on humans making them better friends to people than most small 'pet' birds and are far cleaner. We have one that could not be returned to the wild that will actually come to you when you call his name!

European Starlings have a tougher diet since they are Softbills and cannot eat dry seed (they can eat fresh corn). Their diet is based in protein from things varying from bugs and *mealworms and mashed boiled eggs, and fruits and vegetables like apples and grapes, carrots and peas (Never avocados are poisonous to birds)! Since they are Softbills they leave a bigger 'mess' than a seed eater... ask anyone who has had a a flock of them take over their yard lol (*NEVER feed any wild bird earthworms/night crawlers except for Robins! They carry a parasite that will eventually kill most birds)

European Starling when properly raised as infants that cannot be returned to the wild are very friendly and learn to speak better than many parrots... just look up Talking Starlings on YouTube if you do not believe me! But again keeping them is not the choice we make, it is a circumstance we must sometimes face. Starling have a life span of about 20 years if kept as an indoor *friend, House Sparrows often live to be in their teens. (*What most people call 'pet' birds are those poor creatures locked like ornaments in cages so I don't like calling them 'pets')

If you are trying to help I applaud you but if you want to capture a wild bird as a pet this is the wrong thing to do. Not only will you face prosecution (and with as loud as Jays are some of your neighbors will know!) but they have special care needs, they often carry external as well as internal parasites and possibly disease and generally can be very aggressive towards any other bird in your home as well as you if captured as an adult. Even for us re-habbers the ideal goal is to release the bird we are helping...

Wild birds need to be returned to the wild if at all possible.

Answer 2

it is illegal to catch any migratory bird in the united states, so don't bother unless you want to get slapped with a hefty fine and possible jail time.

Answer 3

unless you train it from birth, maybe.

they are wild animals and should not be taken from their natural habitat.