My yard is FILLED with Blue Jay fledglings! Each day as these young birds become more independent, they seem to be replaced with more youngsters just emerging from the nest.
With so many young jays around, it's a good time to look for the things that help us identify fledgling birds. (Click on any image to enlarge to see greater detail).
Watch for wing quiver behavior as they beg for food.
Their landings are sometimes clumsy and they'll stumble on to perches.
Listen for whiny, squeally calls that come from one area for a period of time.
Their plumage appears softer and more "downy-like" than the adult.
Their beak is a bit shorter too.
They learn to preen their downy-type feathers.
Look for a soft, fleshy part at the edges of their beak.
Watch for baby jays!
Read "Backyard Mystery Birds" for more hints on identifying juvenile birds.
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Larry - clumsy they are! I'm sure we lose more than we know...
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | July 22, 2008 at 09:16 PM
Cute photos-I always worry that something will get them when they're that young.-They seem so clumsy nd helpless.
Posted by: Larry | July 22, 2008 at 07:17 PM
LNMP - What I find amusing is seeing their sheer size and their baby-like behaviors. What a juxtaposition, especially compared to chickadees and nuthatches and the like!
You say "They have a tendency to beg long after they have acquired the ability to feed themselves! Ever notice how the young will chase after their long-suffering parents?" Were you talking about jays or kids???? ;)
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | July 21, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Nice photos of the "wing quiver"! Although I enjoy observing their behavior, I must admit that I find the fledgling Blue Jays somewhat obnoxious. They have a tendency to beg long after they have acquired the ability to feed themselves! Ever notice how the young will chase after their long-suffering parents? :)
Posted by: LNMP | July 21, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Shelley - thanks much. Sometimes we don't pay as much attention to jays since they're so numerous and common. But they are interesting to observe.
Linda - good news on the hairy young. Have fun watching them become independent.
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | July 21, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Very nice photos. We have had baby Hairy woodpeckers near here and I observed the nesting activity of the parents and saw the young after fledging.
Posted by: Linda | July 21, 2008 at 06:27 AM
Great series of blue jay shots - even the babies are smart!
Posted by: Shelley | July 20, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Lana - They're fun to watch and with numbers between 15-20, there are plenty of opportunities!
Sue - thank you very much!
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | July 20, 2008 at 08:56 PM
EXCELLENT photos! Particularily the 6th one down!
Sue
Posted by: Sue Fuss | July 19, 2008 at 06:41 PM
We've had some baby jays around for a while now, too. Not this young, though. No one seems to come when they're VERY young anymore--perhaps because there are so many birds & other animals competing these days over the seed. Our "usual" blue jay count is around 2-3, but lately there've been 6, which has just been great.
Posted by: Lana | July 19, 2008 at 01:05 PM