Lucky the Blue Jay

For a few weeks now we've been living with a blue jay.  Or, rather, it's been living with us. 

Friends were clearing some land and this poor little guy's nest was inadvertently destroyed and their dog had gotten hold of him.  When I first saw him I really didn't think he would last the night.  He was barely feathered out and his left eye was injured. 

Still, we did some research and learned what blue jays eat (almost anything!) and how often it needed to be fed, etc.  Surprisingly, he grew and even thrived.

He (or she?) has really been a lot of fun to have around.  He's very inquisitive and friendly.  One of his favorite places to perch is on somebody.  Believe me, it's VERY distracting to work on the computer or wash dishes or eat dinner with a bird on your shoulder!  While he's sitting up there he pulls out your hair, explores your ears for bugs and rubs his head on your cheek.  I don't know how those pirates did it.

It's difficult to get a good picture of him because he's constantly on the move . . .

exploring a pencil,

 

pecking away at the cell phone,

 

 

and the camera.

 

We take him outside a lot.  We're still hoping we can release him at some point.  He loves to sit in the sun and fluff his feathers.  But he's not showing any desire to fly off.

 

 

In fact, he hurries to follow if you show any signs of walking away.

 

 

I'm sure he will be mentioned often in this blog since he has become such a big part of our lives . . .