Sibling Rivalry and Scrub Jays

I witnessed an amazing display of sibling rivalry and peanut caching antics. Throughout last winter two siblings came each day to visit Blue and get free peanuts. One a bit more nervous than the other. He would come within a few feet of me while the other would land on me, and even enter the house at times. 


When Spring came they stopped coming. Busy building their nests I could still see them grabbing branches and zipping about. Each had found a suitable mate. Each pair built a nest on opposite sides of the street high in the trees. 


They would still acknowledged my existence with a friendly buzz over pat on the head and a cackle now and then. With their nests now complete. They came back for peanuts today in a flurry. I came home to scrub jays buzzing over my head as I entered the house and screaming at me through the windows. So I went to my bag and tossed a few peanuts out in the open. 


The siblings were extremely competitive as all corvids. Scrub-jays are non-migratory and mated pairs defend their territory year-round. So now we have siblings defending the same general territory. That spells one thing, fun. 


One out of a pair stands watch so they can see and guard their nest while the other grabs and hides nuts and also tries to force their sibling away. There was plenty for all but that did not seem to matter. Interesting was the watcher would never leave the post where they could not see their nest. Even if  a peanut was right below them. They would however signal their mate whenever a peanut came into their field of vision using a specific call. Both pairs used the same exact vocalizations each time. When a peanut was taken and successfully hidden by their mate, sometimes re-hidden out of the prying eyes of the other Scrub Jay, each watcher would then give a specific trill telling the other that they had successfully hidden the peanut safely and could return for more. 


Hidden both high and low, in flowers buds, palm trees and buried on the ground,  this pattern of communication went on and on for twenty minutes as they cached nuts. They would aggressively dive, fly and even crash into each other to push the other out of the way. Brother sister, it did not matter. It was quite the show and a tad funny as they learn these things from their parents. 


 Being highly intelligent and social , young western scrub-jays learn most of their behavior from their parents. They will remain with them until they are about three or four months old before leaving to find mates. Corvids, which include crows, have a larger brain to body size than any other family of birds, comparable to that of dolphins and even chimpanzees. The region of the brain responsible for intellect is larger in corvids than in any other group of birds. Add to that, corvids have a higher density of brain cells than any other bird. Jays are highly active, enjoy play and exhibit amusing food caching antics. Like all corvids they are fun to watch. I look forward to getting some video. I have been so busy and this all happened very quickly. But it is obvious they will be back. In fact one is still persistently at my door now. Please feel free to submit your own pictures, videos or stories. 


Email me at tenderfoot.tim@gmail.com


Tim & Blue

Dr. Jonathan Balcombe on Scrub Jay Memory & Ted Talk on Crows

Ted Talk on Crows - Crows & Scrub Jays are in the same family. A must See!

Tips for those in for the long haul

A quick post. A few people have left comments in the " I found a scrub Jay what do I do? post. There are some amazing stories there. And I am glad so many people helped each other in my absence.

A Scrub Jay named Paraguin Pickle is alive and has a great home thanks to some great people who found him covered in mud as a baby. They have done an amazing job. 

As Blue is now about 13. I wanted to share a few things I learned along the way. Both good and bad.

Sandpaper perch covers. Sounds like a good idea to keep their claws from getting too long. It's not. In fact, it damages the pads on the bottom of their feet.  I know every pet store carries them, but they are no good.  And not just Scrub Jays but most all birds. They sell a soft fabric perch cover that sticks on and comes in a roll like tape. You can find this at a good vet or avian clinic. Possibly at your local pet store.

Learn to trim their nails or have an avian vet do it. I really prefer to do it myself. Make sure you learn how first. There are a ton of how to videos up on that. It can be dangerous to have their claws too long. For both of you.

Later I will do a post on beak and nail over growth as it is something that everyone will deal with who has a Scrub Jay for a long time. It can be remedied very easily.

Another reminder. The more variety in their diet the better. Mix it up. Hand feeding is great, but let them crack and eat their own nuts.  Its good for their beak and they will not become reliant on you to do it for them.

Yellow Veggies are good for their eyes and that's the one area they are prone to have the most problems as they get older. Carrots, Yellow Squash. Organic plain baby food works for this. Just vegetable and water. And the birds love it. You may find your seven year old Scrub Jay still flapping it's wings making  baby sounds when you feed them this. Blue still does.

Because these birds are so social. You will find when they are young they do well around most other people.  But they may be frightened by odd things. More so as they age.  A certain color, a certain sound.  Someday you will come home and your bird will look at you and scream. For me it was a hat... and a certain jacket or two. If I wear them. He gets scared. So, I don't wear them near him. If someone is doing yard work outside I stay home. A scared bird in a cage is no good. They will flap around and get hurt. A really scared Scrub Jay will go open beak in panic, its time to take action to calm them down if this happens. Take them in another room. Make it dark. Talk to them. Take them away from whatever is scaring them. The lawnmower, whatever it may be. Oddly blue loves white noise. He sings to it. Try it!

If you ever want another vacation in your lifetime find someone you really trust and let them bond with your bird. 

Let someone get to really know your Scrub Jay. Let them get close to it so it's very comfortable with them so they can stay and watch it for you. Although we have boarding services here. Blue at his age is so reliant on me, is so used to his known environment and our routine. I could never board him. I would not sleep at night. I have to have someone he is very comfortable with here with him in our house.

Lastly, just give them a ton of attention. They live for it. Give them plenty of toys, hiding spots for their nuts, and lots of patience and love. You won't regret it.

Check out some of the new data on the intelligence of the western Scrub Jay! New lifespan data there too. The oldest Scrub is 15 years old.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Scrub_Jay

Intelligence

Main article: Bird intelligence

Recent research has suggested that Western Scrub-Jays, along with several other corvids, are among the most intelligent of animals. The brain-to-body mass ratio of adult Scrub Jays rivals that of chimpanzees and cetaceans, and is dwarfed only by that of humans. Scrub Jays are also the only non-primate shown to plan ahead for the future, which was previously thought of as a uniquely human trait^[7] Other studies have shown that they can remember locations of over 200 food caches, as well as the food item in each cache and its rate of decay. ^[8]"

Peace
Tim

Blue the Scrub Jay - We are back!

I was happy to see I was able to even access this old account. I have done my best to quickly remove all the spam. I was surprised and touched by the many comments people continued to leave in my absence which has been years besides a few updates.

So I do plan on getting back on track and updating this blog. For those that asked, thank you! Yes, I am doing much much better. It was a long recovery. Please be patient as I update things here.

There were many comments from many people who had lost a pet, or were seeking help or sharing great stories. I am sorry I was not around to answer them or comment.

Blue is still alive beyond all expectations of the Vets or me. I was wrong about their age. I learned although a  one could live 15 years. The average age life span in the wild is 3-6 years. Blue may be one of the oldest Scrub Jays around.  He has slowed down a bit. He is officially elderly which is one reasons I decided to come back and share the rest of Blues life.

Besides his bad eye, which has caused a few small problems over his life. He has had no other health issues. We are blessed with a great avian Vet here who has always treated Blue with great care.

From living with Blue to interacting with the local wild Scrub Jays, I have learned so much more I want to share. And I will this is just an update. 

Blue still has visitor scrub Jays where we live now, right next door to where I originally found him. I feed them raw nuts only. They are feisty young siblings. They follow me around , attempt to enter the house and feed from my hand. They interact with Blue. They peer through the windows. One now lands on me while the other is always a bit more nervous. It's the only way I can tell them apart. One is more shy.

Blue gets excited when they come. He has handed one a nut before through the screen door. He hides nuts all over in a frenzy of competitiveness while they do the same outside.

The more comfortable visitor Scrub Jay sings the whisper song to me which amazed me when it happened. I have caught it only a few times in the wild. I never had one sing to me 12 inches away. I know I can easily capture this on video. He also bounces off my head, which is a sign of affection. I was able to witness the dance Blue does to my hand signals for the first time ever in the wild. Something I have waited 12 years to see. To my surprise this does not seem to be a mating dance. They are two young siblings and they did this dance together. I hope to catch this all on video.

So this is just a quick update. I have ton of content to add from over the last 3 years.

Here are just a few recent photos of Blue taking his Sun Bath which he now does on my hand. I take him to the best spot with the most sun. And a few of his visitor friends.

I will be using a new Youtube channel. Stay tuned while I tune things up here.

Peace

Tim

These are all recent pics I had handy.

Blue Bathed in Blue

Yes that's my foot

Sun worshiping

He seems so young in this picture.

Sun Trance

Visitors

I watched these two since there first day of flight. I used to feed their parents who then taught them to get nuts from me.

Blue 12 years old

Here is one of Blue's old videos. He still plays ball each morning. 

Blog Ending

Hi Folks,
Its been a long time since I have even visited my own Blog! I have enjoyed the many years of sharing Blue with you and have enjoyed even more being a small part in helping over 80 people deal with a Scrub Jays found in distress, most were successfully released. Blue is still going strong exceeding all my expectations of how long he may live.

In these financially turbulent times. I simply do not have the means, a working camera, nor the time to maintain this Blog. I will keep the info up as long as possible. And who knows, maybe I will get back to it again soon.
Peace
Tim and Blue

Blue gets a tree!

It was my Birthday recently and one of the things I have wanted for a long time was a tree for Blue. Something permanent rather then using branches; I wanted Blue to have his own tree with leaves. Blues favorite tree is a ficus tree. He would often sit in one in our old back yard where he feels safe from large birds or noisy neighbors.

Dan my father found the perfect tree. A fake but safe and very real looking ficus tree. Standing at about six feet tall, its a large tree. I take some real branches from other trees and hang toys and treats from it now. Blue loved it immediately and now plays in it and also uses it as a place of sanctuary. It also looks cool in my room. So its a good deal for the both of us.

Here is a few pictures of Blue the morning he first got his tree. Video to come with some brand new antics.

Blue Goes To Vet!

Its been a long time since I have posted anything. My health and other family matters have kept me busy. Blue and I have moved to the Country, where we both belong. His cage, when he is in it looks out over the ranch and in the morning the sun rises pouring light into his cage. He is very happy here.

My health is much better, thanks to a few good doctors and allot of time. Blue always knows when I am sick, happy or sad, and acts accordingly. Often when I am resting he sits and softly sings sings to me.

Here are a few shots from the drive up to the vet, his exam, and his morning song this AM.

Blue is Boy. I always thought he was, but only a DNA test can confirm. Its now official. Blue is a male.