You’re staring at the screen, binoculars out, praying for a flash of azure wings against the drab Dakota River rocks. It’s frustrating. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a masterpiece, but hunting for the RDR2 blue jay location for that "A Better World, A New Frontier" exhibition request can feel like a genuine test of human patience. Most players just ride around blindly. Don't do that.
Blue jays are tiny. They're fast. Unlike a massive buck or a grizzly, they don't give you much to work with in Eagle Eye unless you're practically on top of them. You need a perfect carcass too, which means you need a small game arrow and a lot of luck—or rather, a lot of knowledge about exactly where they spawn.
Where the Birds Actually Are
If you want a guaranteed RDR2 blue jay location, head to Beaver Hollow. Not inside the cave where the Murfree Brood creeps around, but just south of it along the riverbanks. There’s a specific stretch of the Kamassa River where these birds love to sun themselves on the rocks. It’s consistent. You’ll see them perched on the gray stones right at the water's edge.
Another heavy hitter is the Dakota River, specifically the area north of Bard's Crossing. Look for the flat rocks. Blue jays in this game have a weird obsession with sitting on rocks near running water. If you're galloping at full speed, they'll spook before you even see the blue. Slow down. Use your binoculars.
I’ve had a lot of luck at Lone Mule Stead as well. This is a bit of a "pro tip" spot that people overlook because they’re too busy looking for larger game near Strawberry. Check the wooden fences and the small outbuildings. Blue jays aren't just river birds; they’re opportunists that hang around human settlements.
The Fort Riggs Method
Fort Riggs is an eerie place, but it's gold for bird hunters. Specifically, the stone walls and the surrounding forest. Walk slowly. Listen for their call—it’s a harsh, loud "jay-jay" sound that cuts through the ambient noise of the woods. If you hear it, stop.
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The birds here often sit on the topmost stones of the ruined walls. It gives you a clean silhouette against the sky, which makes getting that perfect shot significantly easier than trying to spot them in the thick brush of Lemoyne.
Why You Keep Finding Good instead of Perfect
You found the location. You saw the bird. You shot it. It’s a "Good" carcass. You want to throw your controller.
The issue usually isn't the RDR2 blue jay location—it’s your gear. To get a Perfect Blue Jay, you must use Small Game Arrows. A Varmint Rifle will ruin the carcass every single time unless you have the Legendary Pronghorn Heart Trinket, and even then, it’s a gamble.
Expert Note: Crafting small game arrows requires shotgun shells (for the primers) and flight feathers. Kill some common ducks or crows first to stock up on feathers before you go on your serious blue jay hunt.
Time of Day and Weather Matter
Don't bother hunting in the rain. Seriously. Just set up a camp and sleep until morning. Blue jays, like most small birds in the game, are most active between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM. They like the morning sun. Once the midday heat hits or a storm rolls in, their spawn rates seem to plummet.
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If you're at a known RDR2 blue jay location and nothing is appearing, ride away until the area is off your mini-map, wait a minute, and ride back. This "soft resets" the local wildlife spawns. It works better than just standing there waiting.
The Rocks Near Horseshoe Overlook
For those still in Chapter 2, you don’t have to travel far. Just east of the Horseshoe Overlook camp, there are several rocky outcrops overlooking the valley. Blue jays frequently spawn here on the tips of the rocks.
It’s actually one of the best spots because the elevation allows you to look down on the birds. This prevents the "shooting into the sun" glare that ruins so many hunts in the heartlands. Just crouch. Approach from the south.
Every Reliable Spawn Point
- Appleseed Timber Co.: Check the fallen logs and fence posts around the logging camp.
- Dewberry Creek: Look on the dry rocks in the creek bed (north of Rhodes).
- Owanjila: Check the shoreline rocks near the dam.
- Ringneck Creek: A fantastic spot in Eris Field; they sit on the rocks in the shallow water.
Honestly, the RDR2 blue jay location at Ringneck Creek is probably the most scenic, but it’s also high-traffic for predators. Keep your eyes peeled for foxes or coyotes that might spook your bird before you can draw your bow.
The Hunting Request Strategy
Most people search for blue jays because of the Wildlife Art Exhibition quest. If you have the quest active, the game sometimes feels like it’s intentionally lowering the spawn rates. It’s probably just RNG-induced paranoia, but it feels real.
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To beat this, try to hunt the blue jay before you even pick up the poster from the train station. You can carry bird carcasses in your satchel indefinitely. They don't rot if they're small enough to be "stowed" rather than hung on the horse.
Handling the Bow
When you're at your chosen RDR2 blue jay location, don't just use Dead Eye and fire. You need to make sure you're at full draw. If you release too early, the arrow won't have the velocity, and you'll just injure the bird.
Target the body. Headshots on a bird this small are mostly luck, and a body shot with a small game arrow is a guaranteed kill that preserves the quality.
Finalizing the Hunt
Once you've secured that tiny blue carcass, do not sell it. If you're doing the "A Better World, A New Frontier" quest, you'll need it along with a squirrel or whatever else Ms. Hobbs is asking for that week.
If you’re just doing it for the Compendium, congratulations. You’ve mastered one of the most annoying small-game hunts in the game.
Practical Next Steps for the Master Hunter
- Craft 20 Small Game Arrows right now so you aren't scrambling when you see a bird.
- Travel to the Kamassa River south of Annesburg during the early morning hours.
- Dismount your horse well before you reach the riverbank to avoid noise.
- Crouch and use your binoculars to scout every flat rock surface near the water.
- Kill a Legendary Beaver first if you can; the trinket you can make from it doesn't help with bird quality, but the Buck Antler Trinket (from the Legendary Buck) does give you a chance to "upgrade" a Good carcass to a Perfect one upon skinning or collecting. This is a lifesaver for bird hunting.
Finding the right RDR2 blue jay location is about persistence. They are there. They’re just waiting for you to stop sprinting and start looking. Once you get the first one, you'll start seeing them everywhere. That's just how the game's engine seems to work. Happy hunting.