Hello! Recently got a lot of guppies for my mini pond, and I see a blue jay next to the pond, dipping its head in the water. Wondering if it’s trying to eat my fish?
Do blue jays eat guppies???
- Thread starter Sgooosh
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They used to hang around when I had a pond, I suspect to catch small fish. Then a well fed domestic cat got them in turn, a real shame. I liked those jays. But small fish and insects are parts of their diet.
If the guppies have fancy tails, there are a few predators they can attract. They have few defences.
If the guppies have fancy tails, there are a few predators they can attract. They have few defences.
OP
OP
I see, will floating plants for cover help?
My guppies are all wild type
It all depends on how deep the water is, etc. Some guppies may fall victim, but I don't think Jays are the best fishing birds out there. Their generalist skills lie elsewhere.
How big is the pond, and how deep?
How big is the pond, and how deep?
OP
OP
the pond is around 2 feet deep, and like 4-5 feet diameter?
I'll try to scare them away to minimize losses so they use the actual bird bath instead of the pond haha
https://yisraelfamilyfarmshop.net/collections/wine-barrel-planters/products/half-barrel-planters Very similar to this barrel
O)verhere, birds (we don't have blue jays) birds do come to my outdoor tubs but to drink. But last year I had a common kingfisher for the first time coming over a couple of times to some of my outdoor tubs behind a jasmine bush. Not to drink but to fish for my guppies. We've got a park nearby with this large pond. And I do think that he came from overthere. I haven't seen obe this year yet...
Funny story . I know a guy who has a fairly large pond in his backyard and once him and his wife were sitting out on their patio and right before their eyes a hawk swooped down and made off with one of his goldfish .
It’s time to get the BB gun out.
OP
OP
haha! I have a gel gun that I'd be willing to use to scare those buggers off
oh no! ill definitely be on the lookout then, or put some sort of mesh on the pond.
OP
OP
Not sure if it really helps or not, but I put one of those fake falcons used to scare birds near the pond. It fell from the neighbors roof from a gust, so might as well try to put it to use.
We have a large bird garden adjacent to our pond. As a result we have had some mortality with newborns and minnows. We do not worry about it though because there are lots of both with the fish being as promiscuous as they are 
. We did have a Heron that was very bold. I was worried about our larger fish, so I changed his coloring with a paintball. After the third coloration he decided not to return to the pond. He still lives in a brookside pool in the back forty and I did notice his color is back to normal.
I think predation is part of the natural cycle in a pond, so we grin a bear it, snakes being the exception to that general rule.
. We did have a Heron that was very bold. I was worried about our larger fish, so I changed his coloring with a paintball. After the third coloration he decided not to return to the pond. He still lives in a brookside pool in the back forty and I did notice his color is back to normal.I think predation is part of the natural cycle in a pond, so we grin a bear it, snakes being the exception to that general rule.
I don't think a Blue Jay can don scuba gear and dive, so that pond should be deep enough. Then again, Jays can be pretty smart...
If they have a heron friend and tell him/her, then you have a problem.
If they have a heron friend and tell him/her, then you have a problem.
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