Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Bald Blue Jays, Perched Hummingbirds, Bedraggled Flickers of the Vermilon River. A Post to WBW.

Resplendent Blue Jay.
 I think this week's post is both pure whimsy, and actual fact. Blue Jays are probably one of the most dramatically coloured birds of our forest. But who has ever heard of a bald Blue Jay? Apparently, they moult and the moulting occurs along their colour bands. The fellow below in addition to looking like he flew into a fan was also amazingly quiet. Unheard of for a Blue Jay, so maybe he's embarrassed.

Equally strange is the rather bedraggled Northern Flicker. But I think he's a fledgling waiting to come into his own. The resplendent shot was taken about a week later in the same place and I'm certain it's him, looking almost grown up.

I like everyone else wanted to get some shots of Hummingbirds, and to that end I feed them also, but by the time I return home to the feeders I'm out of the camera mood, and hence never get any photos of them. So what do I find up a 50 foot tree perching like a normal bird but a female. Then I discovered that these guys feed on fireweed which is now in seed, but next year...
Bald Blue Jay.
 A Post To WBW @ http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com/

Just a note: My World Tuesday has restarted and I posted to it some beaver and beaver pond shots. If you want to see them, move back one from this post.
Back View- note the head.

Note the Head.

Side View.

Bedraggled Northern Flicker.

Bedraggled Northern Flicker.
Resplendent Male Northern Flicker.


Female Ruby Throated Humming Bird.

Back View Female Ruby Throated Humming Bird.
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26 comments:

  1. theconstantwalkerAugust 30, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    You see some beautiful birds Gary.
    I would be so unaware of them without seeing your wonderful images... thanks for sharing.

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  2. LouiseAugust 30, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    That's very odd about the Blue Jays, Gary. I'm glad to know about it because now I won't panic if I see a bald Jay around here.

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  3. mickAugust 30, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    Very interesting observations and photos of the birds.

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  4. TexWisGirlAugust 30, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    oh, such nasty looking little molties!!! :)

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  5. boniferAugust 30, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    Great pics, Gary, and information, I never knew that about birds, I would have thought they got the worst of a 'fight'..neat to know..

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  6. Bob BushellAugust 30, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Superb photos.

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  7. Lois EvensenAugust 30, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    Lovely images. I have just learned about bald blue jays.

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  8. JoyfulAugust 30, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    Beautiful bird captures.

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  9. AnonymousAugust 30, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    I've never heard of a bald Bluejay. He does look pretty pitiful with his tiny head next to his big body.
    Great photos!

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  10. ChrisAugust 30, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    Beautiful collection Gary and I did not know about bald jay, only about bald eagles ;-)

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  11. eileeninmdAugust 30, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    Beautiful shots, I do feel sorry for that bluejay though, he does not look good bald.

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  12. jooAugust 30, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    As usually your post is so lovely:)

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  13. FjällripanAugust 30, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    Beautiful birds, but the first one looks a little strange, the head looks so small...

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  14. DinaAugust 30, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    Love these rough looking birds. I've never seen a jay like that before. And still haven't gotten any hummingbird pixs yet. Good catch on that.

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  15. GuyAugust 30, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    Hi Gary

    An interesting post I never dreamed of a bald Blue Jay that is truly strange.

    Hi to Boomer.


    Guy

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  16. Stewart MAugust 31, 2011 at 1:56 AM

    Hi there - I would have thought he would get a cold head! Not a good look all in all!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

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  17. UnknownAugust 31, 2011 at 5:32 AM

    Love that bald Blue Jay - I've never seen one!

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  18. LindyLouMacAugust 31, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    Calling by from Our World Tuesday, I am delighted to be part of this community and look forward to sharing photos with you and getting to know your part of the world. What lovely bird photos.

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  19. AnonymousAugust 31, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    I had never heard about Blue Jays moulting until a couple of weeks ago when another blogger captured one and wrote about it. We have Blue Jays galore in our yard and have never witnessed this.

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  20. John @ Beans and I on the LooseAugust 31, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Bald Jay. I recently saw that on another blog and did not know they suffered the same fate as I. At least their feathers will return. My feathers will not. Great post.

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  21. SpringmanAugust 31, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Poor bald Blue jay. You've got a canny eye to spot something like that Gary. The flicker is resplendant, just as you say!

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  22. TammyAugust 31, 2011 at 5:32 PM

    Nice captures :)

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  23. jeanlivingsimpleAugust 31, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    Gary, Your poor Blue Jay is suffering from Mites! This causes birds to lose their head feathers and look freaky. This is not fatal and they will recover.

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  24. AnonymousSeptember 1, 2011 at 4:52 AM

    Magnificent blue jay!

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  25. Kathie BrownSeptember 1, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    That poor bald blue jay! No wonder he is silent! I wouldn't want to attract attention in that state either!

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  26. Hilke BrederSeptember 1, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Nice shots, Gary.

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