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Gluttony is the third deadly sin, but that’s for humans. Blue Jays don’t care, they practice gluttony with abandon, as evidenced by the way they swoop down on the peanuts I put out for the birds.

Most birds take one then fly away. Not Blue Jays.

Blue Jay eating peanuts. We have seen some who swallow as many as 7 peanuts at one time.

Blue Jay eating peanuts. We have seen some who swallow as many as seven peanuts at one time.

There was an older Blue Jay, who began by scaring away everyone else.

Elderly Blue Jay scaring away other birds.

Elderly Blue Jay scaring away other birds.

Elderly Blue Jay surveying the scene, making sure he was the only one near the peanuts. Only then did he start eating.

Elderly Blue Jay surveying the scene, making sure he was the only one near the peanuts. Only then did he start eating.

In the meantime, the Red-bellied Woodpecker was the model of bird table manners.

Red-bellied Woodpecker always picked a single peanut. They may make multiple trips, but only one peanut on each trip.

Red-bellied Woodpecker always pick a single peanut. They may make multiple trips, but only one peanut on each trip.