The best thing about writing the articles, other than it's a living sort of, is that I get to do a little research. Not full blown research, but something more than Wiki. An hour or so in the library. Online info is great, but it's hard to find some of the more obscure facts. Of course, then when I get in mixed company, I run the risk of sounding like the guy on Cheers, "A little known fact about the Colorado Mockingbird is that..."
So here's some things you may not know about the Western Scrub Jay. Including that there is such a thing as the Western Scrub Jay.
He’s a party animal who drinks too much, spills his food, talks too loud, and laughs at his own jokes. He’s vain, pushy, and a potluck’s worst nightmare – always the first to arrive and the last to leave. Oh, he’s smart all right, and wants everyone within earshot to know it.
His wife is just as bad. (More on Patch)
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30 comments:
Brilliant-
Love your scrub jay story.
I can co-exist with the actual scrub jay, but not a love match.
I love hearing factoids, Karin, you can tell me all you've found in your research, any time. Your first para is so funny. Do they steal the visiting kitty's kibble?
Hey thanks. Be careful what you say, Bellis, because I wasn't kidding. I was telling someone about crows yesterday and then the horror of who I sounded like struck me.
We have blue jays, and they too are loud and obnoxious. I like bluebirds better. I do love the Van Gogh blue on your birds. And while our blue jays are not as big as your scrub jays, you ought to see our crows. Those suckers look like they could get together and cart off a Mini Cooper.
U forgot to mention they are pushy little bas&*$%$ that shove little birds out of the way to get to the seed... they take a close second to ruthless crows...they definitely have a 'tude to no end..
Thanks for the great facts! I'm starting to know what you mean about the research. I went on a walk with a friend last night, one who hadn't ever walked in the area with me, and I could hardly contain my obnoxious side. Kept wanting to blah-blah-blah her on "little known facts" around town. :) I'm proud to say she's still my friend (I think...).
I think some of my dearly departed relatives may have come back as Scrub Jays...just sayin'. Bad news about the virus.
Jays will eat peanuts right out of my hand. Does that make them tame, feral, or just plain smart?
I just wanna say the best thing about this article is this photo! imho. One of my favs of yours
You're really talking abut me aren't you? I'm a little hurt.
"Inquisitive, industrious, highly intelligent, and mates for life." Yeah, I'm sorry, that does sound like Margaret.
I think that cat done already et.
I meant to also say that I hope you're feeling better, Hiker. I had the flu not too long ago and it wasn't fun.
We've got a society in the back and front yards: scrub jays, mockingbirds and crows. The jays and mockingbirds are like Republicans and Democrats having at it. The crows are above it all; nothing phases them.
Great story, as always.
There are a pair of black-billed magpies that have taken up residence in our neighborhood this year. They visit our back yard often and enjoy screeching to each other as they check out the "buffet".
For a long time I've tried to follow orders and hate their eastern cousin (I assume), the blue jay, whose character is similar. They're just too gorgeous and interesting. The corvids, right?--jays and brother crow. I used to hate the noise of crows too, until I realized all the serious poets had written laudatory poems about their cleverness. Also, I saw one crow driving off two turkey buzzards once.
What was that movie comedy a few years ago, where a mockingbird was such a nuisance and ended up dead? Maybe Donofrio was in it.
I donated the corner of my door mat to a scrub jay family several years ago. Then they disappeared. Haven't seen any by my house in a long while.
There's a blue jay here that finds it great fun to take my newly filled bird feeders and tip them upside down, dumping everything on the ground. Then sits on the feeder post and dive bombs the birds pecking at the ground. No feathered friend of mine.
He came to my house and drank all my booze, then pissed in the bath. He's not welcome here.
He's a party animal who drinks too much, spills his food, talks too loud, and laughs at his own jokes....
always the first to arrive and the last to leave."
Sounds like fun to me!!!
Apparently there's a couple of you who don't like guests who drop by uninvited, with gravy stains on their tie.
I did see a blue jay a few days ago in the pepper tree next door. And I remember thinking it was unusual.
The mocking birds have got this place tied down. Nothing gets past them - but I sooooo love their song. Real trillers - they
I think she is too Margaret
Sheeeesh! He's bit like me on my bad days.
Back it up! cite your sources!
See how cleverly I skirt that, Kenny Mac? "Some scientists believe," and "Experts say,"
My grandmother always used to say, "They say..." "They say that if you walk around with no shoes, you'll ruin your feet...." She never could quite explain who "they" were.
hilarious......and such a lovely picture too!!
I'd like to say he's welcome at my place, but ...
He looks awfully cute, though.
I never knew they were so smart.
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