Friendly Jay?

Gigas · #1 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 03:40 PM

I was walking through my local Heath about half an hour ago with the dogs and stumbled onto a jay sitting on the floor, one of the dogs(a chihuahua) scared it up a tree, I expected it to fly off as soon as I came near him/her but it just sat there, i thought that this was a bit weird and stood and watched it and got really near to the animal.
Instead of flying off it would just flit between branches on what appeared to be uninjured wings, but never moved more than 2 meters away from me. looked to be fully grown, snapped some pics then left it. Could it be a confused juvenile?

ImageShack -

Madelinew · #2 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 03:55 PM

It could be an inexperienced juvenile but sounds more like there could be some underlying health problem not immediately obvious. My own experience of jays is that they are naturally shy birds and possibly the most wary of the corvid family. Someone will be along to tell me in a minute that they hand feed their local jay

valleyforge · #3 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 04:42 PM

Hi Gigas and welcome to the forum.

From the description you have provided and the photographs you took, it is very clear that this Jay is not friendly, but quite sick.

As Madelinew suggests, the natural behaviour of Jays is to be extremely wary of human contact, to the point that they are generally much easier to hear than they are to spot.

The 'feather-fluffed, head-in-shoulders' attitude of this bird clearly indicates that it is not at all well, and is suffering from a condition that may or may not be curable. For instance, it may have contracted avian trichomoniasis, most probably by scavenging the carcase of an infected pigeon or finch ... or there could be many other possible causes, natural or induced.

Birds showing these general symptoms however, are most often very close to a point of no return, and an examination by an avian vet or an experienced wildlife rehabilitator would probably be its only chance of survival.

Realistically though, by the stage where it becomes easy to catch, its chances of recuperation will probably have diminished almost completely.

freefeet · #4 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 06:24 PM

I agree that the bird does look extremely unwell, i've never seen a Jay look like that, ever. the nearest i've seen a bird look like that is my mother's budgie that died soon afterwards. But i disagree that jays are hard to see or get near.

I've been within a few metres of lots of jays and they're one of my favourite birds. I was extremely dismayed when i moved to London from Hampshire and didn't see any for years. Then i started walking in Epping Forest and got to see lots of them again - all within metres of me.

The only birds i had issues getting near in Epping Forest were the woodpeckers.

Jonsfotos · #5 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 07:27 PM

I agree with Valleyforge,it certainly looks like a case of Avian Trichomoniasis. Usually it manifests itself by cheesy growths in the throat so the bird is unable to eat and then when the disease progresses, it affects most internal organs and by then the bird is usually beyond help.It could also be Avian Paratyphoid or even E Coli. Yes even our feathered friends can get it.One of the most common sources of Trichomoniasis infection is the good old Bird Bath and Drinker, so it pays to clean and disinfect them regularly.

Kept racing pigeons for 20yrs :-)

Jon

Gigas · #6 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 10:07 PM

Thank you for all your replies,
I went back and found the animal with my house mate who has an interest in birds(we are both 3rd year zoology students) I managed to pick up the bird without any disagreement from the animal. The animal was very alert and my friend was quick to point out it was a juvenile and has a strange growth on one of its legs, which it did not like to apply pressure to.
Imageshack - dsc01549zj
The animal was taken to a local vet who said he would keep it and possibly send it to a wildlife rescue but like most have said i doubt it will survive(the vet will have probably put the animal down as soon as we left)

simon taylor · #7 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigas

The animal was taken to a local vet who said he would keep it and possibly send it to a wildlife rescue but like most have said i doubt it will survive(the vet will have probably put the animal down as soon as we left)

Some-one who has the same opinion of vets as i do...

freefeet · #8 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 10:48 PM

Sorry but your photo isn't too clear, but is this the kind of thing the bird has...

AshleyB · #9 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 02:23 AM

Hi - I am Gigas' housemate!
The growths on the leg were not like that it was lower down the leg and seemed to be quite sensitive to the bird - I think Gigas did some research and found it to be similar to a lice problem found in chickens but im sure he'll know more! When i dropped the bird off at the vet they said we could go in tommorow morning and find out what's going on - we will keep everyone updated

valleyforge · #10 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 09:53 AM

Gigas & AshleyB ... well done for being able to capture the bird and take it into care.

Your picture isn't clear enough to determine the nature of the problem with the leg, but if it's infected then that would certainly result in the Jay being so unwell and debilitated.

Let's hope that it's something that can be readily treated.