This juvenile Blue Jay watched intently as I filled the feeders this morning. He’s obviously not a brand new fledgling, but you can tell he is still young by the pink around the beak and by his mannerisms.
The moment I finished spreading Bark Butter on one of the branches, he hopped down and began squawking for his folks to come and feed him.
His parents either lacked the fearlessness of youth or possessed the wisdom of the aged, and kept themselves at a safe distance, not quite as ate ease with my presence.
Once he realized that he was going to have to fend for himself, he actually became quite bold. He tasted the Bark Butter, realized he liked it, and proceeded to scare off several other birds when they attempted to land on the branch. You could almost hear him boasting, “I am the lord of the branch!”
But his moment of might was short lived, as the true lord of the branch arrived and sent this young whippersnapper scurrying back to Mom and Dad.
Backyard Bird Nerd 
Great post and wonderful photos! I had a young blue jay hopping all over looking for food this afternoon. He wouldn’t get on the tube feeders and so was hopping around the front porch looking for a kernel of something. I finally took pity and put out more peanuts on the flat stump, but I knew as soon as I did the grackles would show up again in droves. Those stupid (well, I know they are actually very smart!) birds have been devouring everything I put out there. I had to bring the suet in because they ate practically an entire cake of it in just a couple of hours! I wish they made a grackle proof feeder! Anyway, my blue jay buddy was able to get a few nuts after I put more out before the grackle gang arrived. Now I’m wearing out my knuckles knocking on the front window trying to keep them away. LOL
Grackles make me crazy…at least that’s what I’m blaming it on! 🙂
Glad I’m not the only one! 🙂
Cute photos of the youngster.