Brown Jays

[Bill Dix]

From Black Rock Lodge, Belize, last month. I watched these two for awhile. At first I concluded that their antics were courtship behavior. But on second thought, I'm wondering if it's a young adult pestering a parent for food. According to Sibley, the bill of a 1st-year bird is all yellow. The youngsters can retain some yellow, as in the bird on the right, for up to three years. Will a 2 or 3 year-old still pester the parent? (I'm talking about birds.:w3) Any thoughts?

D7000, 700mm, ISO 2500, 1/640s @ f/6.3 manual.

[gail bisson]

Hi Bill,
My 26 and 23 year still pester me for food and and money and emotional support ....!!! So I think it is possible for this 2 year to 3 year old to still be on the mooch.:w3
I like this picture a lot. I have never seen this bird posted before so really appreciate seeing it.
You have a great BG and interesting behavior.
Both birds are tack sharp and a really nice simple complimentary perch.
TFS,
Gail

[Karl Egressy]

Nice interaction image of this cool looking birds, Bill.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

I agree that the bird on the right seems to be a sub adult. If you have more images in the series look for yellowish tarsi. The yellow eyering is also a clue but this one shows a black one. Very nice light, pose and behaviour.

[dankearl]

Again, you managed to get both birds sharp in the frame....
I like this a lot, a species new to me, nice perch, nice BG, a real winner...

[Joseph Przybyla]

Nice image Bill, great light and interaction.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Like that you captured this behavior, Bill. The raised feathers and open beak animate this image so well. The IQ, BG, and soft light, spot on.



Geoffrey

[Holger Leyrer]

Very nice image. I like the perch and the smooth BG. Exposure control is perfect. Interaction, sharpness and details are great.

[Bill Dix]

Thanks everyone.