Here is my entry for #smap round 58 with a theme of Corvids as recommended by @corvidae
Previously I had not really known that jays fall under the category of corvids. I always thought of corvids as crows only. Fortunately just last week I was up in the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona and found a bunch of Mexican Jays.
These Mexican Jays have four subspecies that feature different calls, sizes and colors and can be identified by the region they inhabit.
This particular subspecies of Mexican Jay is called Aphelocoma wollweberi arizonae as it inhabits the border area of Arizona and Mexico and is the largest of the Mexican Jay subspecies.
At a popular trail head into the Chiricahua Mountains these jays like to swarm near hikers getting ready to go up the mountain. They know hikers will often drop various treats as they fuel up for the hike.
These guys are quite the opportunists, they always have their eyes on you waiting to see if you drop something.
Hey man are you done eating that granola bar? Help a buddy out over here...
This one decided not to beg the humans for food and took a rock instead. I suspect it has to use this rock to digest something fancy it got from a hiker.
Look at me I'm just a poor hungry jay, please please drop that chip you are eating...
These birds will eat almost anything including acorns, seeds, pinyon pine nuts, small snakes, insects, and sometimes even other birds lol. They like to hang around in groups and swarm down on food sources then will hilariously fight over the food. There is no honor among thieves.
If you ever get a chance to visit Southeast Arizona definitely check the mountains for Mexican Jays. At the very least you can get lots of amazing landscape photos if none of the birds are harassing you for food lol.
Wow! Very nice photographs!
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They are quite tame and pose for the camera. Their blue color is quite bright.
First of all, I'm sorry, maybe I can't reply to your comments, because usually I don't have enough credit. What do you take photos with?
I use an old Olympus E-510 with a zukio 200mm zoom lens.
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The only jay I'm familiar with is the blue jay. It makes sense they are corvids (I'm mostly thinking about their calls). The Mexican jay is a beautiful bride and its behavior also reminds me of that of crows.
I've been wanting to share some bird pictures I've been taking lately (now that I'm in Mexico) but my photos aren't so good.
Yeah keep an eye out for Mexican Jays. What part of Mexico are you in? I suspect they will be in higher elevations over there. They will look pretty close to these photos I posted with some subtle differences mainly in size. These guys love food so if you don't have a zoom lens you can probably set some food out and place your phone next to it to record them eating.
I'm in the state of Michoacán which is kind of centrally located on the country. Don't know if their range extends down here but I haven't seen any similar birds.
The only place you could probably see them is if you go to the very north east of Michoacan which is barely on the edge of their range.
Hm. Sounds like you're talking about La Piedad / Yurecuaro region or around there. That's somewhat far from where we are :(
Yeah they like the hot arid high elevation areas. I think you are in more of a jungle area too humid for them.
This is wonderful bird. It looks so beautiful. This is not seen in our region.
Yeah these jays are only in a specific region of the south of Arizona and North of Mexico.
very beautiful birds, are they tame
They beg for food so they are fairly tame, I even had one eat out of my hand.
yes friends they seem tame,
Aww, they are super cute, aren't they?
And beautiful too. 🙂
I am amazes how many different jays exist around the world.
Just recently the Mexican Jay got split into four new jay subspecies based on subtle differences in call, size and color. So now there are even more types of jays in the world lol.
Really? How interesting.
In my country there is only one type - Eurasian Jay. 🙂
Where I live there is only the Blue Jay, but throughout North America there are 10 different types of jays.
I'm really impressed with this picture of a bird. So beautiful. How can you take pictures quite beautifully.
Reveal spoiler
Thanks, I was lucky to have my white balance adjusted and settings just right for when I saw the bird sitting on that branch. Fortunately my zoom lens focus was set to center as well.
you're welcome. it's really awesome. 🥰🥰👍
How much diversity in the world of birds! Such a beautiful bird.
Luckily they are friendly to the photographer so long as they think food is around lol.
Beautiful photos!!!!
Will do.
Be sure to visit during late fall to early spring, otherwise it is way too hot. The jays hang out all year there though, I'm sure they would love people to pour them water during the summer.
Amazing birdies! As i see, they are not afraid of people walking by.
The people were eating food and drinking water getting ready for a hike, the birds saw an opportunity to get any fallen snacks.
The birds are so bright and beautiful. I think they resemble our Northeastern Bluejay somewhat.
They have a nice blue sheen to them, their calls aren't quite as harsh as the bluejays.
Wow love that last shot. Looks like a great place to hike. Interesting to see the large variety of jays. Mexican Jays have a brown saddle markings like California Jays but don't have the bandits mask - just the bandits behavior haha
Echo canyon is quite an amazing place for hiking and wildlife. Just bring lots of water with you its hot and dry out there even in the winter. I think all the jays have the bandit mentality, quite the dominators of the feeding areas.
I loved it there! (I lived in Mesa and Glendale for a little over a year. I didn't believe it when people told me they were Jays. I was expecting real bluejays or at least Eastern ones. What a great set of photos!
I saw your shot on @barbara-orenya post for winners! :) I just had to come over and see the post in its entirety.
I love the entire post and you are right, they are friendly! The first shot and the shot of him looking curiously at you are my favorites!! Inquisitive little guy!
There are quite a few different Jays in Arizona I even saw a Canadian Jay way up north in the Flagstaff area once. They key is to go up in the mountains. The Mexican Jays are probably the most inquisitive ones I've encountered and they love hanging around campgrounds in those mountains to see what the humans have for them. If they get used to you enough they will eat out of your hand too.
I have seen Jays in Flag, but, I wouldn't have known the difference then. That is amazing that they are so friendly.
They have learned the art of gainful curiosity. Thanks for sharing these! :)
I have a photo somewhere of them eating out of my hand but I can't find it lol. So far I've seen Scrub Jays, Stellar's Jay, Canadian Jays and Mexican Jays in AZ. 4/10 North American jay species is pretty good for one state.
That is more than impressive!
When I moved to the Washington, DC area, I didn't see any for a few years! This year is the first time I have seen them (in abundance too) They have taken over one of the birdfeeders and won't let anyone else near it. :)
Except for the cardinals. How odd?
Haha only the cardinals are mean enough to take on the jays and only the squirrels are tough enough to scare off the cardinals.
Beautiful capture my friend. ❤️ Very dramatic and clear.
It must have been an incredible experience.
Whenever I go to Arizona I try and visit them, they never disappoint.
Great post.
Thanks :-) The birds never disappoint for content.
I really like all the pictures of birds that you show, these are very extraordinary.
They have quite a personality as well.