Photo by Sunny
It's not often you see an owl hanging out with a songbird. This Blue Jay and Pygmy Owl seem to be unbothered by each other's presence for the moment.
this post was submitted on 20 Jan 2024
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For owls that are superb.
US Wild Animal Rescue Database: Animal Help Now
International Wildlife Rescues: RescueShelter.com
Australia Rescue Help: WIRES
Germany-Austria-Switzerland-Italy Wild Bird Rescue: wildvogelhilfe.org
If you find an injured owl:
Note your exact location so the owl can be released back where it came from. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitation specialist to get correct advice and immediate assistance.
Minimize stress for the owl. If you can catch it, toss a towel or sweater over it and get it in a cardboard box or pet carrier. It should have room to be comfortable but not so much it can panic and injure itself. If you can’t catch it, keep people and animals away until help can come.
Do not give food or water! If you feed them the wrong thing or give them water improperly, you can accidentally kill them. It can also cause problems if they require anesthesia once help arrives, complicating procedures and costing valuable time.
If it is a baby owl, and it looks safe and uninjured, leave it be. Time on the ground is part of their growing up. They can fly to some extent and climb trees. If animals or people are nearby, put it up on a branch so it’s safe. If it’s injured, follow the above advice.
For more detailed help, see the OwlPages Rescue page.
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The owl looks like it's scheming an evil plan with the Jay.
That jay will double cross the owl, they are not to be trusted.
The jay can't eat the owl though! Jay needs to have a backup plan in place.
If they're anything like my resident jays, that's almost guaranteed!
I love this! ❤️
Blue Jays are like a gang in my yard. I love them, but they like to scare the other birds away from the feeders and then throw a bunch of seed on the ground looking for the right one. Sigh.
Mine don't seem bossy, except with each other. They typically stick just to the peanuts in a shell I toss right to them. They leave the seeds to everyone else.
One of them picks up every peanut to find the best one, and another tries to take 2 at once but the second one never fits.
Some of the cardinals and titmice have finally started following their example. It's funny seeing the little tits fly off loaded down by peanut. 😆
That is a beautiful photo!
I was thrilled to find it, especially without it ending up tragically for either party! 😅
My jays are my favorite backyard birds. I have so much fun with them. They've been the closest thing to a pet I've had the last few years. They're so interactive.
I saw a bluejay attack and kill a smaller bird (titmouse, I think), last summer. Kindred spirits, maybe.
Aww, poor little titmouse. 😮
Birds are savage little dinosaurs.
I can't believe how bad the chickadees messed up that Screech Owl I posted recently. All birds are tough.
Blue Jays, surprisingly big!
Being as big as a Pygmy Owl isn't the highest achievement... 😁
The jays are big enough to be the boys in my yard though. I love those guys.
That person might just be really close and the owl really far away!
Northern Pygmy Owl
- Length 7 in / 18 cm
- Weight 2 oz / 56 g
Blue Jay
- Length 9–12 in / 22–30 cm
- Weight 2.5–3.5 oz / 70–100 g
- Jays are smaller the further south they are.
If you're used to common Blue Jays, the Mountain/Steller's Jay will appear surprisingly large. Especially since the ones in the Rockies, at least, have no qualms about getting right up in your face.
(That's not the bird in OP's photo, though.)
Ooo he's got an executioner's hood!
What a beautiful pic!
It's nice to get some bright colors into the owl photos!
This isn't good. They're planning something.
Let them cook
Same energy as me telling the random stranger in line at the store with me about my favorite episode of Star Trek
Lol I feel this comment!