Blue jays are known to be aggressive birds and will readily attack snakes that enter their territory. Even though blue jays typically eat insects and small rodents they are not afraid to take on a snake if the opportunity presents itself.
There have been several reports of blue jays killing and eating snakes. In one case a blue jay was observed killing and eating a ten-inch garter snake. The blue jay first grabbed the snake behind the head then proceeded to thrash it around until the snake was dead. Once the snake was dead the blue jay took it to a nearby tree and proceeded to eat it.
In another case a blue jay was observed killing and eating a five-foot-long black rat snake. The blue jay first grabbed the snake behind the head then proceeded to fly up into a tree and drop the snake onto the ground. The snake was then twisted and pulled apart and the blue jay began to eat it.
There are also several reports of blue jays eating snakes that have been killed by other animals. In one case a blue jay was observed eating a garter snake that had been killed by a cat. In another case a blue jay was observed eating a black rat snake that had been killed by a dog.
So do blue jays eat snakes? It appears that they certainly do!
Do blue jays eat snakes?
No blue jays do not eat snakes.
