A California Scrub Jay in Carmel, California

[NBachers]

A California Scrub Jay flew past and landed in front of me last week in Carmel, California, with a prize it had found. They usually don't stand still long enough for me to photograph them.

If someone wanted to drive this picture in the Wrong Direction, they could photoshop a Circus Peanut in its beak.

[George McGovern]

1. Great photo NBachers! A fake peanut is it? Thanks!

[NBachers]

3. No, I'm pretty sure it's a real peanut. Someone may be putting them out for animals or something.

I just thought a Circus Peanut would look funny if someone photoshopped it in.

It would be interesting to observe the Jay's procedure of breaking open the peanut shell to get to the peanuts underneath. Then, do they eat the peanuts whole, or break them apart?

[George McGovern]

4. It WOULD be interesting to observe. Thanks for clarifying the real peanut!

[Silver Gaia]

5. I'm sure someone is putting peanuts out for them.

Scrub jays loooove peanuts, so it's a good way to befriend them.

Once they get the shell open, they do sort of break them apart to eat them. They just peck at them and swallow til the peanuts are gone. Sometimes they make a "Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!" sound, kind of a chortle, when swallowing. The nestlings make that sound, too, when being fed, so if you hear it a lot, there is probably a nest nearby. The babies will beg pitifully for food, too. If you have scrub jays, listen for it in the spring.

They are enjoyable backyard companions -- noisy at times, but fun! .

[Diamond_Dog]

2. Great photo and handsome bird!