Blue Jay

I bought a small bag of salted in-shell peanuts and put them out for the birds. I'm glad it was a small bag, because it's not a good idea to use salted peanuts for birds. It's better to use unsalted peanuts for birds. The Blue Jays simply love peanuts in the shell, but the salted ones are not good for them. Too much salt is just as bad for them as it is us. So, later today I'll get some unsalted peanuts - in the shell.

(Blue Jay)

It's fun to watch the Blue Jays snatch them up and fly off to eat them nearby. Sometimes they'll take them about 10 yards away and eat them on the ground. Sometimes they'll head for the branches of a tree. This Jay found a 6" branch with an appropriate spot in our elm tree where he could safely open it up and "chow down" before returning for another.
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Blue Jays

For a long time, I've been trying to get shots of blue jays, cardinals, etc. in our back yard. My wife had a new feeder waiting for me under the Christmas tree this year - one that she found on www.etsy.com. Made of cedar, it had a much better perch than my previous one had - one that I hoped would allow larger birds than mainly sparrows and house finches to feed.

I set it up yesterday while our white Christmas was still in the making. There was no activity at the feeder until this morning. I watched and waited.  At first only sparrows and finches showed up. After a little while my patience was rewarded, and jays finally made an appearance.  They easily helped themselves to their favorites in the mix I had waiting for them.

 The male first came in to test the waters.

 His mate followed shortly thereafter.

I will anxiously be awaiting more opportunities. I'll have to increase the sunflower seed content of the mix.

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Blue Jay

This Blue Jay was a bit of a puzzle to me when I saw it. First of all, its body and tail appear to be fully matured. At the same time, its head appears to be that of a newly-hatched bird. Could it be that he just has a wet head for some reason? Is it some sort of genetic defect? I don't know.


Another puzzling thing is that it was imitating the call of the Mississippi Kite - a very good "PIT-tooooooooooo"! I've never heard anything like it before. It was very clear, albeit with a little "smaller" sound as if the volume was turned down a bit.

If you have any insight as to these mysteries, please post here or Email me (at the address on the photo) and let me know.

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Blue Jay

Blue Jays don't normally give me much chance of a shot. They are usually pretty timid - with me anyway. They seem to disappear when I get my camera out. This one gave me an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

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Blue Jay

A foggy morning in Amarillo this morning. A blue jay calls from a tree next to our house. They don't stick around very long. This one did - just long enough.

(Click on the image for a larger view.)

(See more Blue Jay photos and info HERE.)

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Blue Jay

The Blue Jay is easily recognized by its bright blue color, and black necklace. Chances are, you'll hear it before you see it. Its "Cat! Cat! Cat!" call is one of the most common of all. The Blue Jay can also mimic the calls of Red-Shouldered Hawks, Red-Tailed Hawks, Ospreys, Crows, and even a neighborhood cat! (I didn't know that either.) Blue Jays eat nuts, berries, insects, and even carrion.

This Blue Jay appears to be building a nest in one of our trees. Jays around here are difficult to photograph, because they insist on keeping branches between them and the camera.

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