Observation on a blue Jay Attempting to Capture a Rough Green Snake
Early one afternoon during the first week of August, 1964, I was attracted by a commotion overhead in a water oak tree. The sounds indicated that something was vigorously thrashing about in the leafy branches. I saw a Blue Jay struggling with a Rough Green Snake. The jay was attempting to balance himself on one leg with the aid of his wings, and hold the snake against the limb with his other foot and his beak. The snake was struggling vigorously, and quickly escaped. It fell to the ground near me and the jay immediately flew to a nearby tree and did not return. I caught the snake as it began to crawl rapidly away.
Author: Dr. Eugene B. Sledge
Volume Number: 17 Year Published: 1969
Issue Number: 1
Page Number: 24
Link to article: http://birdlife.aosbirds.org/1969/Vol 17 No. 1_1969_p24.pdf
Link to the full issue of BirdLife: http://birdlife.aosbirds.org/1969/Vol 17 No. 1_1969.pdf