Macro graph of Blue Jay feather.......The pigment in Blue Jay feathers is melanin, which is brown. The blue color is caused by scattered light through modified cells on the surface of feather barbs (CORNELL LAB of ORNITHOLOGY , publication ). The WISCONSIN Natural Resources magazine indicates the MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT makes it illegal to possess native bird feathers without a permit, except for game birds. Anyway, it is amazing to me the structure of feathers. PS... I return all feathers to nature