I have bird feeders in my backyard oasis area. I feed thistle, sunflower, and mixed seed in various feeders. I also have a flat shelf feeder with peanuts that the blue jays and starlings (thanks, europe;)) love.
I have noticed that blue jays will pick up a peanut, drop it, then pick up another. They repeat this a few times, then fly off to eat their final choice. My gf mentioned that she has seen this behavior also. She assumed they were trying for the heaviest peanut (they are in-the-shell).
Anyone know about this avian feeding behavior? Has it been studied? Is there some mathematical formula that shows the most successful strategy for the jay to follow?
Aside: This morning there were more jays then usual. Turns out there were a bunch of recently fledged birds! Very nice to see over coffee.