scrub jay

[robin_rule]

That almost-ready-to-leave-the-nest that the wildlife lady told me to put back on the ground and let its parents show him the final way to fly and find food? well, kids, he didn't make it. A neighbor's cat killed it after i trusted the wildlife lady and i know she's right, but damn it, i needed that bird to live. I have been getting ready to paint

Comments

[karow]

I picked up a blue jay out of my front yard once, smaller than my palm, broken legged, being stalked by a cat just before dark.

I had read a book about "Wild Orphan Babies" a month or so earlier, and mixed egg, milk and canned dog food to feed him and tried to save his leg. I got it set, but there was nerve damage and his claw didn't grasp.

He was a pet for 6 or so years before he "took a turn" one afternoon, and died that evening. He imitated every noise in or out of the house, and took great joy in my older son's clarinet practice. As the jay was gasping and we knew something was badly wrong, that was my son's reaction, he went and got his clarinet...

Hopefully that last one makes it!

alan

blue jays

[robin_rule]

dear alan, what a wonderful story to keep a jay so long. i've heard that is about how long they live. 6 years. you gave him a good life and yes, they imitate everything. i've heard of a mockingbird in ukiah who imitates an ambulance siren! the clarinet gave him much joy i am sure. the gasping was his little indombitable spirit saying Good-bye. that's a good family story you told.