ID this unknown perching bird - Round Rock, TX, US (1 Viewer)

erisian.pope

very amateur

• Dec 21, 2009

• #1

I have absolutely no idea what this bird is. Taken in Round Rock, TX, on July 6, 2009.

Thanks for any help!

 

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  unknown.JPG

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E

etudiant

Registered User

Supporter

• Dec 21, 2009

• #2

Looks like a Blue Jay

 

AlexC

Aves en Los Ángeles

Opus Editor

• Dec 21, 2009

• #3

etudiant said:

Looks like a Blue Jay

Click to expand...

Looks like, and is one. :t:

 

erisian.pope

very amateur

• Dec 21, 2009

• #4

Is it because of my cruddy exposure that it appears to have no discernible blue?

 

AlexC

Aves en Los Ángeles

Opus Editor

• Dec 21, 2009

• #5

erisian.pope said:

Is it because of my cruddy exposure that it appears to have no discernible blue?

Click to expand...

Hold your breath for this one. Blue Jays aren't actually blue. Their feathers refract light in such a way that in sunlight they appear blue. The pigment produced in the feathers, however, is not actually blue. This is why on cloudier days they appear duller.

(My poor explanation of a complicated phenomenon).

Additionally, your shot is of the breast, which is white anyway.
http://mygoodnewsfirst.com/images/blue_jay4.jpg

 

Last edited: Dec 21, 2009

erisian.pope

very amateur

• Dec 21, 2009

• #6

Thanks!!!

 

E

etudiant

Registered User

Supporter

• Dec 21, 2009

• #7

The throat and belly of the Blue Jay are white, not blue. The brilliant blue, which as mentioned above is structural, is mostly on the wing and tail feathers. So your photo is just fine, just that the bird did not cooperate and show his flashy side.