molting stellers jays
August 29th, 2008
I saw some bald blue jays over at Zen Birdfeeder recently. My stellers jays aren’t bald, but their head feathers aren’t very black anymore, and all the feathers look a bit rough. The birds hide in the grass as though they don’t wish to be seen in molt.
Interesting how an animal with no hair can have a bad hair day, isn’t it?
Looks to me like that one is having more problem with its beak than it’s feathers! Poor thing… I’ve read miss-aligned mandabills will cause them not to properly wear down, so they grow and grow.
Beverly, Thanks for mentioning the beak in the top photo. I got several photos of that bird and noticed first the curve in the beak not seen in the other jays. I was hoping birders would comment on this. Thanks!
Oh wren, it is!
I find Stellar Jays beautiful. Are they considered pains like Blue Jays are here?
Zen, I don’t know if other people consider the stellers jays pains. I love to photograph them. When I put seed out for them, the first to come calls for its friends and soon there are several feasting together. They may be aggressive, but I haven’t seen it. The small juncos will feed alongside the jays and don’t seem to be bothered by them.
Great quality stuff.