Passeriformes

Passeriformes

Passeriformes is the largest order of birds and includes more than half of the world’s different bird species with more than 5,000 unique species classified as passerines. Often times passerines are called songbirds, but not all of these birds are equally vocally adept.

Some of the most common characteristics shared by these birds include being small to medium in size with an upright posture, relatively vocal with different calls though not always singing elaborate songs, and relatively bright plumage colors or distinct markings. The most prominent characteristic shared by all passerine birds is the arrangement of their toes. Each has four toes, three facing forward and one backward which allows the bird to easily cling to horizontal and nearly vertical perches.

Jays are several species of medium-sized, usually colorful and noisy passerine birds in the crow family. This blog shows photographs of four different species of Jay’s I photographed in Plano, TX, Lost Maples State Park, TX, Rio Grande Valley World Birding Center, TX Lincoln National Forest, NM and Ruidoso, NM.

 

Blue Jay

1BJ

2BJ

3BJ

4BJ

Green Jay

5GJ

6GJ

7GJ

8GJ

Steller’s Jay

9SJ

10SJ

11SJ

8SJ

Western Scrub Jay

14WSJ

13WSJ

15WSJ

12WSJ

4 thoughts on “Passeriformes”

  1. Michael, I want you to share some of these bird photos (and others) with National Geographic. They are all such unique and great pictures that people would love to see.

  2. Nice photos!
    The beauty of God’s creation is ever present and awe inspiring if we only pause to take it in each day!

  3. It has taken me all week to comment on the jaunty (being kind) Jay birds!!!! I had NO idea there were 4 different ones!!!!! I had heard of a green Jay, but never seen one…?…very pretty…are they. As mean as their blue cousins?? I always love my science lesson….thanks for including g me…?

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