Did You Know?
Some remarkable birds should be mention since they are members of the family Corvidae which are also Crows and Ravens: The Blue Jays.
They are not parasitic as some other blackbirds, they do build a nest and tend their own eggs and chicks.
So far this past Spring and current Summer these birds have been absent from my backyard. I’ll wait for the migration time, they might stop by in their way south.
Next I bring you some pictures of Blue Jays from their latest visits. Enjoy!
NOTE: This post has been modified from a previous statement erroneously written by me. It has been corrected. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.
Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101
H.J. Ruiz - Avian101 
Amazing photographs….The focus is so nice…..
Pankaj
http://globalsafari.wordpress.com/
Thank you very much! 🙂
They are breathtaking creatures,both in beauty and personality!. The pictures are so beautiful. I have them visit occassionally, each time is a gift to the soul. They were more common in the suburban area where we lived before; less common in these open woods. Or simply, here they are more inconspicuous due to dense foliage and shadows.
Still, they are residents in this part of the country, so we see them year round. Delightful to see them in snowy winters, their plumage in striking contrast with the all whiteness. Sad to hear that you have not seen them this year, Do you fancy why?.
Although I had many blackbirds in my backyard this year it’s been only a fraction of the number of birds it has been compared to previous years. I believe that variation of atmospheric temperature whether up or down, creates changes of bird migrations. Which is not rare. Thanks for sharing Carmen! 🙂
Hope you see them again!
You’ve got me a bit confused, H.J. I hate to be picky, but Blue Jays are corvids, as are Crows and Ravens… but blackbirds are icterids (which includes orioles). I don’t think they’re as closely related as you think. On the other hand I was confused when I first saw Choughs in Ireland – they are big, black birds and they look like crows, but they are not corvids.
Everybody should be picky because is a good way to make corrections. Yes, I admit my mistake. I’m sorry. You’re right Lisa. They are Corvids but not from the blackbirds family (Icterids)
Thank you for calling this error to my attention. 🙂
Thank you for being a good sport! 🙂
Thank you for clarifying this, H.J., it had also piqued my curiosity :-). Both families are bright and beautiful!..
🙂
Blue jays are one of my favorite birds! I spend way too much money buying them different kinds of peanuts and suets because they bring me so much joy! I don’t like it that they get a bad reputation for being “bullies” as I have never seen them bully other birds at my feeders. Sometimes I wish they would bully the mourning doves out of the way! Gorgeous photos, H.J.!
When they’ve been in my backyard feeders they all go for the sunflower seeds, they love them! I enjoy seeing them crack the seeds open. Thank you for sharing Amy. I love it when people share their own experiences related to my post!
I find it fascinating that they know that there is a peanut they can eat inside the peanut shell! How do they know that is food inside? Even blue jays that probably never saw a peanut before know they can eat it. I just find it amazing! I buy both kinds, in the shell and out of the shell. I bought a special feeder to hold the in-shell ones. It’s so much fun to watch them get the nuts out! I spent too much time in front of my window watching. LOL (They also like the sunflowers, too.)