How can I keep a blue jay away from a mourning dove nest on my porch?

Oh dear! Aren’t the doves aggressively protecting the nest? In my yard, the mourning doves reign supreme, even the squirrels are intimidated by them. It gets a little West Side Story all up in here some days.

I’m sorry that doesn’t answer your Q, I’m just hoping your concerns are somewhat unfounded.

@canidmajor -I’ve found that they are the most mellow birds but maybe they would drive it off. I just haven’t seen it yet.
I have had them show up every year for a number of years now. They have at least 2 broods per year.
When I walk out the front door, they are right there in a hanging basket.They let me water the flowers.
I wonder if they are the same ones, related to the originals or random.

@soowhat2 -I can’t do it. Mainly because I don’t think it’d taste good.

Maybe our East Coast doves are just tougher. :-)

I hope you resolve this. Blue Jays are bullies.

@canidmajor -Could be!
Sometimes I think they’d let me pick them up.
I just read about their high mortality rate which explains the multiple broods per year and the tendency to just sit there while I tend the flowers.
I had a robin build a nest in there one year. It was more “flighty” than the doves.
I’ve also had house finches and sparrows check out that site but they haven’t built one in there yet.

Please keep us apprised, now I am worried about your doves.

@canidmajor -I will. I’ll post a photo as my avatar soon.

Wow! A speciesist conversation here on Fluther! So many anti-Corvid folks here!

Eggs are not the first food choice of Blue Jays, so perhaps you could offer them a tray feeder filled with peanuts, sunflower seeds, and suet.

I’m worried about the whole approach.

The theory of evolution says that the strongest species survive, and that the weaker species either adapt or die. That’s Evolution 101.

So you’re trying to mess with scientific principles and the natural selection, in order to save a couple of less powerful birds. Is that ethical? To tamper with science and the natural scheme of things?

This is bigger than a couple of bird breeds. Are you familiar with the Butterfly Effect? You could be changing the entire future of the world.

Blue jays are pretty nasty. I’m not sure what would drive them away. I wish you luck.

@zenvelo -They have that option in my back yard.

@elbanditoroso -Mess with? I’m flat out trying to control it! lol
I tamper with with natural selection every time I dose myself with insulin.
I am familiar with the Butterfly Effect and my actions ( by not going to see the movie on that very subject starring Ashton Kutcher) might have affected his future movie making opportunities.
Is this a bad thing?
That depends on who you’re asking, I suppose.
Now I am drunk with power. :)

@janbb -Thanks, they are beautiful though.

Not seeing Kutcher’s movie is a positive thing for humanity.

As for the rest of your statement, @lucillelucillelucille – I hadn’t realized you were a megalomaniac.

@elbanditoroso – Me either. Until just now!
Have you, by giving me a new career option, affected the future of all mankind?
Have you elbanditoroso? Have you?

@lucillelucillelucille I have always respected strong and powerful women; you don’t scare me.

@elbanditoroso -How can I change that?

Aww – get a room you two!

@janbb -XD

Does the Blue Jay have a favorite perch from which it mounts the harassment? If the jay is consistent you can spray the branch with WD-40 and/or put a light coating of white lithium grease on it.

@LuckyGuy -He sits on a small table on the porch.I see him in my backyard as I type this.
Another reason I’d like him to vacate is that he has pooped on my table.XD