Green jays - junior getting fed

Green jays are colorful, raucous and entertaining. We have had a flock for a number of years on our property. They are not always easy to photograph because it seems they always post a sentry in a high tree to alert the others of potential dangers. They make a variety of harsh calls, including one that sounds very similar to a red-shouldered hawk and something that is between a gargle and a rattle. But occasionally they grace me with some wonderful moments to capture with my camera. During June this year the fledglings were particularly demanding and they found my yard with an abundance of feeders an easy solution to gathering food. The young ones will remain with the parents and help in caring for the next brood before they move on to raising their own. This sequence caught an interaction between an adult bird and a junior who was begging for food and appeared to have a temper tantrum before finally getting his or her way.

Montell, Uvalde County, Texas in June 2020

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