w1160 ~ Blue Jay Artwork Pose

With crest lowered and wing plumage swept back and up in a circular fashion, this inquisitive Michigan blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) struck a pose I have rarely seen, as if pondering the camera. The Blue Jay's coloration is not derived by pigments, but is the result of light refraction due to the internal structure of the feathers, known as structural coloration. The blue jay is a member of the family Corvidae, which includes other notably intelligent bird species such as crows and ravens. If interested in licensing a high resolution version of this photo, please contact us directly.