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I took these yesterday morning, a young bird sitting in an old apple tree. He was having a bit of a preen and a polish, he does look a bit scruffy! I think it's his parents that have been visiting the bird feeders this last month, very shy but quick to take advantage of a free feed.

Ans a few more.

Brilliant Jayb- I was expecting baby photos of you

I didn't realise that they would get the wing feathers (are they the coverts??) till later

Quote from: pumpkinlover on June 30, 2014, 07:45:07
Brilliant Jayb- I was expecting baby photos of you

Quote from: pumpkinlover on June 30, 2014, 07:45:07
I didn't realise that they would get the wing feathers (are they the coverts??) till later

I don't know, I assumed it was a youngster as it wasn't much bothered by me taking pictures and hadn't clocked I was there, an adult would have flown at first sight of me.
Hopefully a knowledgeable A4Aer will know?

Lovely photos.  It does look young  all the feathers are still fluffy.

How lovely! I agree, it looks like a youngster.

Wonderful.  Lovely pics.   I used to have one which flew over my plot, but I have not seen it recently.  Another rant about red kites!!!

It is odd they are so shy.  In Turkey they are more like jackdaws.  Stayed at a hotel in Olu Deniz and there were loads of them almost eating out of my hand.  They seemed to know when people were coming back from breakfast bearing goodies and gathered around the pathways. 

Great photo's.

They really are a beautiful bird.

Gertie   

Lovely pictures.  Have never seen a jay - so colourful.  Thank you for showing us.

ps     @ pumpkinlover

Lovely pictures Jay.   He or she looks so sweet.

I have seen them once or twice here and they are very shy in general. beautiful birds though.

Great shots, I think this probably is a juvenile, largely because the speckles on the front of its head seem sparse compared to most adult birds, the blue wing coverts are there from the time they get feathers.
They certainly tend to be wary of humans, but having said that, like other members of the crow family, they are opportunists and will tolerate us if food is available.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeakabigman/14542417385/

I heard someone from the RSPB saying that when people phone them saying there's a colourful exotic bird in their garden it's almost always a jay. Apparently people can't believe it's a common native species!

I guess it's likely because they are so shy.

They are very intelligent like all corvids, and great mimics. I have a recording of a jay calling like a buzzard...

Thanks all
I didn't realise they can be a rarity to see as there are lots around here.

Quote from: Mikeakabigman on June 30, 2014, 14:09:18
Great shots, I think this probably is a juvenile, largely because the speckles on the front of its head seem sparse compared to most adult birds, the blue wing coverts are there from the time they get feathers.
They certainly tend to be wary of humans, but having said that, like other members of the crow family, they are opportunists and will tolerate us if food is available.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeakabigman/14542417385/

Thanks for the compliment and the information Mike I hadn't realised about the speckles on the head or that they get the blue feathers straight away. Stunning picture of a adult Jay thank you.

ps, I've just been drooling at your photos again, you have such a talent and your pictures are simply awesome!