Corvids

[Willpar]

Am getting the odd one as well. Not a bird that has frequented the garden in the past.

[Nick]

I often see Jays visiting the garden but I've noticed one with a prominently hooked beak. It's obviously a deformity but seems perfectly formed. I wonder how much it affects/influences its diet?

[Willpar]

Very good video Nick, the extended curve don't seem to affect its eating.

[TrevLincs]

It is amazing how wildlife (and even domesticated animals) adapt to deformatives, lost limbs etc.

[Nick]

It is amazing how wildlife (and even domesticated animals) adapt to deformatives, lost limbs etc.

Absolutely and better adapting than humans I suspect. The Jay might even find his beak is an advantage - I bet he's a dab hand at a carcass!

[Nick]

Here's Captain Hook in slo-mo. His hook is actually an advantage over the standard design, at least when it comes to feeding on peanuts!

[Willpar]

Don't seem to be bothered by it. Great one Nick.

[Nick]

I'm almost certain that I've got another Jay with a hooked beak. This individual is smaller and the hook on its beak is less pronounced. At the end of the video there's a comparison shot with Captain Hook Senior on the left and (what I think is) Captain Hook Junior on the right. I'm wondering that if I'm right, could the deformity be hereditary?

[Jacksparrow]

There are two possibilities. Either it's two with the same deformity or the same bird having lost the tip off it's beak. Only seeing them together will answer the question.

[Jacksparrow]

Carrion Crows have been visitors to my garden for many years. They visit but not frequently and not usually more than one at a time. The last couple of days I've had a pair visiting mostly after the food falling from the hanging feeders. They have a rather odd trait which is tapping on the windows which look over my back garden. Their favourite is the patio door and they only desist reluctantly when I go to open the door giving a rather defiant "Caawww" as they withdraw.