Researchers at UT Austin are chirping about a brand new bird.
A reported hybrid (or hybird, if you will) between Texas’ resident blue jays and green jays — nicknamed the “Grue Jay” — was sighted in San Antonio, and has since become the subject of a new study from UT Austin’s College of Natural Sciences. According to the study, the hybrid is most likely due to both species’ expanding habitats, which are in turn motivated by climate change and changing weather.
Brian Stokes, a biologist at UT Austin, led the research into this brand new bird with the help of an international grant. He spoke to Texas Standard about his work, and gave us a bird’s eye view of this new discovery. Listen to the interview above or read the transcript below…