C. Anderson wrote:

> [info on Steller's jay with deformed beak]... I watched him
> yesterday with a sunflower seed and he had considerable
> trouble trying to crack it, and finally just swallowed it,
> shell and all.

That's interesting, Christy. The Steller's jays in our neighborhood
won't touch sunflower seeds. They don't even peck at them. They sweep
the millet away, pull out the things they like and completely ignore the
sunflower seeds.


I've always been curious as to whether our neighborhood jays are typical
of jays in this general area or if they have different habits related to
their family relationships.

Have you noticed if the other jays in your area eat sunflower seeds? If
so, that's an interesting difference from the ones here. If not, I
wonder if your jay is so handicapped by its bad beak that it has to be
less choosy about food to get enough.

Mya Bell
north of greater Seattle, WA
myabell at 4-sightmedia.com