Pretty in Blue
Pretty in Blue, One of the most defining features of a bird is its plumage. But as complex and capable as feathers are, they don’t last forever: They begin to break down after some time, forcing its owner to replace them. Which is the process of molting.
Which usually starts around July and August, depending on the species.
As a result, a bird’s appearance may radically change through the molting period, or just look odd and patchy.
The blue jays are back in my area and some of them are still missing their crown feathers. This one in the picture is a young blue jay and its blue feathers are a color all onto themselves. Such a pretty blue.
Molting is a fascinating behavior, just like migration and breeding, and it’s one of the vital parts of a bird’s life. So if you see some song birds and they appear to be missing a few feathers this time of year. Don’t worry, they are probably molting and growing some new ones soon.
Pretty in Blue
28 Replies to “Pretty in Blue”
Not my favorite bird for a number of reason, but you were able to get some great shots of them. Our local cardinals are going through through molt at the moment which makes them look really scary.
Yes, my sister doesn’t like them that much, but I sure like their shade of blues.
Poor birds with their molting – I had pet birds in my younger days and the molting period is rough on them and saps their energy level. This one jay is only recognizable by his signature crest on his head. 🙂
Yes, I have one blue Jay with no feathers on his head at all. He looks so bad right now. But it will grow back.
Yes, all the birds look a little pitiful in between feathers. I remember our canaries lost their tail feathers – there they were bopping up and down on perches, a short and stubby body – we worried about their balance.
The birds have such a beautiful shade of blue, our Creator is such an artistic genious Sandra !
Yes He is, the markings on a blue Jay are just gorgeous.
Love blue jays. They have the funniest personalities. You captured this one beautifully!
Thank you, yes this one is a young one and it’s parents are still feeding it.😊
👌👌👌📷🐦🌹
Thank you very much 😊
Thanks for sharing. Interesting info.
You are very welcome Linda 🙂
Great photos! You are good
Thank you, I appreciate that 😊
Thanks Sandra. These are great shots. Good closeups. Blue Jays are such unique birds. Their color is just as you described. They also have quite the attitude and can be very aggressive (got dive-bombed once). One has to appreciate that and their appearance. Thanks for telling us about the molting process. That pure blue set off by white and black trim always comes back. Have a great day!
Thank you RJ, yes they are very pretty birds and usually rule the feeders in the spring. Right now the parents are still feeding their young, even though the young look like adults. It is amazing to watch nature take care of their young ones, no matter how big they are.
Pretty bird.
I love this color blue 🙂
So beautiful pictures and bird!
You captured the blue so nicely!
💙💙💙💙💙🙏
Thank you very much Francine 😊
The blue jay is magnificent with its blue plumage. At home, there is the oak jay, it’s different. 😉
They are so pretty right now, I have never heard of the oak jay, I will look that one up 🙂
Great shots an as we can see…. also in nature there are creatures with blue hair – LOL
🙂 yes, and such pretty blue hair