Aug 25, 2025

Why Do Blue Jays Scream Like Hawks Every Morning?

Have you ever wondered “why is that Blue Jay screaming so loudly in the morning?” Sometimes their call even sound like a hawk. This is a common question among backyard birdwatchers. Blue Jays are known for their intelligence, mimicry, and noisy personalities—but their morning screams often leave people puzzled.

Let’s look at the main reasons why Blue Jays scream like hawks and what it means for your backyard.

Blue Jay Hawk Call: A Clever Mimicry

One of the most fascinating Blue Jay behaviors is their ability to mimic hawks. Blue Jays often copy the calls of Red-tailed Hawks or Red-shouldered Hawks. Why? To trick other birds into thinking a predator is nearby.

This Blue Jay hawk call gives them a few advantages:

Scares smaller birds away from feeders.
Helps them claim food without competition.
Makes them seem more intimidating than they actually are.

If you hear what sounds like a hawk in your yard but don’t see one, there’s a good chance it’s just a Blue Jay screaming.

Morning Screaming: A Territorial Alarm Call

So, why does this usually happen in the morning? Blue Jays are very territorial. At dawn, they often give out loud alarm calls to announce: “This area is mine—stay away.”

Much like a morning roll call, Blue Jays use their voices to check for competition. Once they feel secure that no intruders are nearby, they usually quiet down and get on with foraging.

Juvenile Blue Jays Are Extra Noisy

If the screaming goes on for minutes, it could be a juvenile. Young Blue Jays are like rowdy teenagers testing out their voices. They experiment with all kinds of sounds:

Chattering noises
Gurgles and whistles
Alarm calls
And yes, even hawk screams

This phase is temporary, but in summer and early fall, juvenile Jays can make mornings much louder.

Blue Jays and Food Motivation

Another reason Blue Jays scream is simple: food. They are clever birds and often scream before approaching a feeder, especially when peanuts are involved. Some even develop routines:

Mimic a hawk call.
Wait for other birds to scatter.
Choose the biggest peanut and fly away.

If you’ve noticed this at your feeder, it’s not random—it’s a smart feeding strategy.

Alarm Calls Against Predators

Not all Blue Jay screams are about food or territory. Sometimes they’re genuine warnings. Blue Jays act as neighborhood alarms, sounding off when they see a cat, squirrel, or hawk nearby. Their alarm calls alert other birds to stay safe until the danger passes.

Why Blue Jays Scream Like Hawks

So, why does that Blue Jay scream every morning? It’s usually a mix of mimicry, territorial defense, juvenile behavior, and food motivation. While it may sound harsh to us, it’s part of their survival strategy—and one of the reasons Blue Jays are such fascinating backyard birds.

If you enjoy observing these clever corvids, giving them a safe and reliable feeding spot makes it easier to watch their antics up close. Our Solar Smart Bird Feeder Camera not only attracts Blue Jays but also records them in 2K HD video with bird recognition technology—so you’ll know exactly when your local Jay decides to show off its “hawk impression.”