We are babysitting one of our winged friends on short notice (RELEASE PHOTO!!!)

[Omaha Steve]

Last edited Mon Dec 28, 2015, 10:40 PM - Edit history (4)

Release photo below.

Marta and I are in the family room. We both heard the loud bump of something hitting our glass wall in the dining room. The glass has several decals to warn birds away. But we still have bird strikes from time to time. Marta got up to check. A blue jay was laying in the snow with one wing open and one wing up against it's body. It is still breathing. He is recovering in a cardboard box in the laundry room. This is what we have been told to do in the past for strike victims.

Blue jays are a nasty bird. But we feed them peanuts in the shell everyday. We will let you know how things turn out later today.

OS

UPDATE: He is fine. Marta went to check on him and he was ready to jump out of the box. I took the box outside and he jumped up on the box.

It took about an hour for the recovery. He stayed by me for about 30-40 seconds to look around and get his bearings. The temp was 5 degrees F. Here we are under the deck saying hello. He said thanks and flew back into Fontenelle Forest: http://www.fontenelleforest.org/

[leftyladyfrommo]

1. We used to have a lot of jays around here

until the West Nile virus kind of wiped them out.

But I noticed that there were a few back last summer.

What I hate is when there is a jay with babies in the back yard. They just attack everything and everybody. They got so bad one time that I had to wear a blanket over my head when I went into the back yard.

[question everything]

2. Can he recover on his own?

We've had in our back yard a crow with a broken wing. Still hobbles, runs. Manages to hop on shrubberies and then onto a spruce, quite high.

And, of course, helps himself to the shelled peanuts and other seeds that we provide for the squirrels and all the birds.

I think that even if we wanted to capture him and take to a bird sanctuary we won't be able to. He really runs fast.

[FSogol]

3. I like Blue Jays, they have a lot of personality.

We have one that comes and eats the leftover dry cat food we put out for the feral cats. He'll land on the deck rail and yell until he's convinced the cats are gone and then down to the bowl.

Hope your little one gets well.

[NCarolinawoman]

14. I like blue jays for the same reason.

They are interesting to watch. Some are little mimics, but not all. One time I actually saw one imitate the sound of a cat meowing. After this had gone on for awhile, the rest of his group discovered what he was doing and kind of chased and scolded him for playing a trick on them. In the end, they regrouped and were all buddies. I saw another one fly down and look at the lifeless body of a jay that had been killed by a hawk. I swear that he made a wailing sound that sounded like grieving.

(I often wonder why all the blue jays come across as boys? I know darn well that there have to be some girls among them somewhere!)

[Omaha Steve]

16. Blue jays will imitate hawk sounds for two reasons

1 is to warn others a hawk is in the area.

2 is to scare competition away from the feeding area.

Smart they are. And fun to watch.

OS

[FSogol]

17. Ever seen a Clark's Jay? They are a larger version of the Blue Jay found in the

Pacific NW. When I used to do a lot of mountaineering, the Clark's Jays would assemble when we stopped for lunch. You could hold a peanut or cracker above your head and the Jay would swoop down and snatch it. If you didn't hold up the next one fast enough, they'd all start yelling.

[MuseRider]

4. Good luck!

I like the Blue Jays, in fact I rather like all birds, even the maligned starlings.

Sadly we rarely see birds anymore. A few here and there. Mainly Raptors, and Geese in flocks. Occasionally large flocks of what look like Grackles but could be any type of blackish bird.

Farmlife is not what it used to be. My feeders hang full for months. Very sad to live this.

[monmouth3]

5. You and Marta are good people Steve...n/t

[MuseRider]

6. Awesome story!

Thanks for the update and the photo Something really good and heartwarming today.

[Omaha Steve]

7. Somebody asked about the glass wall

Our dining room faces the forest. It has 3 floor to ceiling windows for observation next to the sliding doors. I'm headed out the door. I'll try to dig up a photo later.

OS

[OhioChick]

8. Nice story, Steve

It looks like you and Marta may have made a new friend.

[flvegan]

9. Well done sir.

My best to you and Marta.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Kick and recommend

Add some paper towels to your recovery box.

My kids might shred them, bit it is also nice, warm and comfy.

[malaise]

11. K & R

for nice folks

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. K&R for your great story!

[OwnedByCats]

13. Thank you for doing that

Not everyone would take the time and effort. I applaud you!

[Packerowner740]

15. Go Pack Go!