The Travels of Tug 44 |
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Northern Blue Jay |
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Blue Jays are one of the more noticeable visitors at any bird feeder, for their rather loud squawks and calls. Also one of the most colorful. This one is sitting on a fence by the Hudson River in Fort Edward. high-res
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This Blue Jay has moved to the bird feeder to collect some sunflower seeds, pausing to clean his feet. Yep, he's picking his toes. high-res
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Blue Jays eat nearly anything, including seeds, nuts, fruits, bugs and sometimes even small mice. high-res
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Male and female Blue Jays look the same, though the males are slightly larger. No idea which this one is. high-res
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Northern Blue Jays definitely enjoy their sunflower seeds. high-res
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They are a bit large for my birdfeeder, but they make do with a lot of flapping and hanging below the perch. There is one oddity, the blue color in the feathers is not from pigments, but rather a microscopic structure in the feathers that refects blue light. When a feather is crushed, the blue vanishes. high-res
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Newly-fledged Northern Blue Jay chicks beg for food from their parents. They could be self-sufficient at this age but begging works, so they sit there with their wings slightly extended and they vibrate the wings. Usually this works. high-res
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... and when there are no adults around, the chicks will sit there with their wings completely spread while thy make quite a racket! high-res |
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