Bird chicks found dead. What are they? (1 Viewer)

WayuU

Greenpeace Nordic Systems Engineer

• Jun 12, 2009

• #1

Hi,

I think this may be a tough one for the real "pros" to solve. I'm hoping for an answer that will confirm my belief.

I was out in the forrest near my home and on the ground I found a nest and within a 2 meter circumference I found three chicks. The chicks on the photos are quite big IMO. They are about 15cm long and very blue feather pens.

To see these photos in much larger version, detailed, pls go here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32584072@N04/
Click on the photo and in the grayish menu right above the photo click on "All Sizes"

I appreciate any guesses on this.
/Mats

 

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WayuU

Greenpeace Nordic Systems Engineer

• Jun 14, 2009

• #2

I forgot to say where:

Taken in a nature reserve very close to Stockholm, Sweden.

 

Dave Hall

Bumbling Bears

• Jun 14, 2009

• #3

My guess would be Jay (Garrulas glandarius)

 

T

Th_SQ

Well-known member

• Jun 14, 2009

• #4

+1

 

ChrisKten

It's true, I quite like Pigeons

• Jun 14, 2009

• #5

I'm not disputing they are Jays, as I never seen Jay chicks, but isn't there rather a lot of blue on the dead chicks. Is that how they are as chicks?

I should add that adult Jays visit my garden every day.

 

C

CAU

Well-known member

• Jun 14, 2009

• #6

WayuU said:

very blue feather pens.

Click to expand...

ChrisKten said:

I'm not disputing they are Jays, as I never seen Jay chicks, but isn't there rather a lot of blue on the dead chicks. Is that how they are as chicks?

Click to expand...

Feathers grow out of sheaths:
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/838/55017039.JPG

The sheaths contain blood vessels, which make them blue on all birds:
http://www.ibisring.com/img/artikels/indischezwarteibis10.jpg

In this case you need to look at the tips of the feathers which have already emerged out of the sheaths. Coincidentally, the tips of the alula feathers, the primary coverts and the outer greater secondary coverts are also blue, which fits prefectly Jay (and not too many other species):
http://www.tarsiger.com/images/SL/gargla_230907_E1O7736.jpg
The tips of the remiges and inner greater secondary coverts are black and the mantle feathering is rufous, which also fits Jay, as well as the structure of the legs and bill, i.e. they are Jay chicks.

 

WayuU

Greenpeace Nordic Systems Engineer

• Jun 19, 2009

• #7

Thank you all for your help.

I especially want to thank CAU for the informative help and links provided. I learned things (sheaths always blue) I did not know and that is always a great feeling.

Regards,
Mats