Non photographic related question about Blue Jay

I feel like I am looking at something from a horror show. Anyone tell me what's wrong with this poor Blue Jay?

im not sure,but when i visited kentucky i took some pictures of cardinals that looked the same way.we were all discussing it,and the only thing we could come up with is maybe some moulting process.

We have seen a couple Jays like this one here in NH. I agree with the molting idea, although I suspect, as you do, that it indicates a problem with the bird rather than a normal phase of development.

Maybe try posting on a forum such as Rec.Birds:
http://groups.google.c​om …=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Lots of very knowledgeable folks visiting that forum.

Thanks for the responses. I ran across a web site that helped explain possible causes. In case any one else is interested here is the link.

http://www.birds.corne​ll.edu …llenges/Strange​Birds.html

It's Fugly

Gotta love the boys at Cornell

Everyone interested in birds should become a member and get Living Bird magazin

CyberDyneSystems wrote:
Gotta love the boys at Cornell

Everyone interested in birds should become a member and get Living Bird magazin

Wow, didn't even know about this. Done - that's a very worthwhile membership. "The boys at Cornell" do some really good work.

Scottes your kidding? I've never mentioned them? (Bad Cornell member,. very bad!)

These are the guys that found the Ivory Billed woodpecker.. an associate and friend of my Grandfather, Paul Kellogg, was a gent that helped pioneer the science of audio recording for ornithology.. (no small task at the time.. the tape recorder had not yet been invented!!!!!!) ..and was the same gent that recorded the call of the Ivory Billed back in the Singer tract of Louisiana in the 1930's... a recording which in recent months has become quite possibly the most listened to bird song in history!

http://www.birds.corne​ll.edu/Ivory/story13.h​tm

Oh yeah, you had mentioned them - and that recording story.

But you never mentioned that you could become a member, help them, AND get a cool magazine.

Yes, BAD Cornell member!