Blue Jay
Interestingly, the Blue Jay’s coloration is not derived by blue pigments, but is the result of light refraction due to the internal structure of the feathers.
If a Blue Jay’s feather is crushed, the blue color disappears as the structure is destroyed.
Blue Jays as well as many other birds will eat paint on the side of homes to get additional calcium, in the form of calcium carbonate, which is used in many paint formulas as a pigment extender.
Birds will often seek out supplemental calcium during the breeding season to help with eggshell formation and to feed their chicks while their bones are developing.
Pied-billed Grebes often congregate off our mangroves
In their non-breeding, winter plumage the bill is not pied
This shot (not from our deck) shows an adult in breeding plumage (with its pied bill) as it gets dangerously close to a large Bull Snake.
Great Egret and White Ibises foraging next door.
Female Belted Kingfisher, a winter visitor.
12-11-17
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