Coy Wader

The Avocet   Recurvirostra   avosetta

 The Avocet, an elegant black and white wader, has a slender and delicate build. It's thin strongly upcurved bill, is swept from side to side under the water when searching for food.
 

This post is included in the WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY initiative by Stewart M and the blog Paying Ready Attention - Photo Gallery

Homely House Sparrow

House Sparrow   Passer domesticus


 

 

 

 

The House Sparrow is very sociable. It breeds commonly around farmyards, towns and villages. The male shown here, has grey crown, red-brown temples, and large black bib. The females are uniformly more grey-brown, and have pale brown streak behind eye.

Juvenile Jays

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These juvenile Jays were about two and a half months old when they came to feed in my garden last year. The adult female lays 3-10 eggs, incubates alone during 16-19 days, then the chicks are fed by both parents. They fledge 19-23 days after hatching, and depend on their parents during 7-8 weeks before parents chase them away. The parents brought the juveniles to my garden, which enabled me to get these shots before they moved on.