I hate situations like this. If it got there, though, it probably can get back eventually, especially if the parents know where it is. Keeping predators away seems the most importnt thing you can do..

We had this happen once when I was a kid.  My mom and I put the little guy in a shoebox full of rags then dropped him off at a wildlife rescue.

(also, I’m sure it’s just coincidence, but the ad for bird aviaries up top is a nice touch)

Betty, unless you can find the nest or have a porch roof or some other elevated area away (from the cats) where you can rig up a little hangout for the guy, you’re going to have to be Mommy for a bit.

Blue jays fledge early. He should be all right if mom/dad is hanging around. Maybe rig up a place that he can run into if a predator gets too close. The fact that he got on your bike basket tells me he can achieve lift off if he needs to.

No need for worms. Jays like to eat all sorts of things, so if you have unsalted nuts or seeds, this bird will love you for it. Mature Jays really like peanuts. For this one, unsalted sunflower seeds or something like that.

The parents will also try to feed the youngster if at all possible. But the safety issue is paramount. If you have a local wildlife rescue org, call them and ask them what to do. You may have to capture it, put it in a box and get to someone who can care for it. It’s baby season, so this is a common occurrence.

I would bring it inside, put it in a big box and feed it some seeds. Make some calls and you can save the bird from a less pleasant fate.

Betty, there is probably somebody trained to rehabilitate wildlife in your area. I’m going to the Audubon website; be right back.

If I were to caption that pic, it would read:

O HAI!  I SEE U HAZ A BASKIT, LOL.

Betty, God forbid this should turn out badly. However, if the worst should happen, I’ve found a Web site that cheerfully describes the blue jay as a “suburban potluck delight” and “nature’s ready-to-heat poultry snack-on-a-stick.”

Flag me if you need the URL. If nothing else, you can continue the story in a unique and memorable Food Pr0n post.

Soaked dog kibble, no lie. Once they’re so squishy they’re about to come apart offer him a piece—-you might have to pop his beak open, but once it’s in there he’ll do the rest.

He might be ready to eat on his own, I dunno. I’m not even sure how to get ‘em to that point; as far as I can tell, the programming just kicks in one day and they start pecking.

I’ve hand-raised a couple birds but both times they got too man-friendly to survive on the outside. Maybe you should be an asshole to him. Snide remarks, constant undermining, that sort of thing.

UPDATE: He or she made it through the night! Thanks everyone, for the advice and laffs. I’m going to call the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary (a local outfit) when they open this morning and see what they think. My daughter and I rescued a gull with a broken wing last year and brought it to them, and they were terrific. They specialize in seabirds but will help out other species as well.

Sometimes I really hate you, Strange. I had typed up a fake baby bluebird recipe before I read your comment.

*shakes fist*

The bird should be OK, lay our some raw peanuts and stay clear of the area so the parents can tend to him.