General
Steller's Jay: Large crested jay with a black head and crest and a blue body. Head has slight white eyebrow, forehead, and chin spots. Wings and tail are blue with black bars. Sexes are similar.
Range and Habitat
Steller's Jay: Largely a resident from coastal southern Alaska east through British Columbia and southward from the Pacific Coast to the Rocky Mountains, south through Mexico and into Central America. Wanders further east during winters, as far as western Kansas. Preferred habitats include coniferous or deciduous forests.
Breeding and Nesting
Steller's Jay: Two to six light blue green or green blue eggs marked with brown are laid in a neat, twiggy nest lined with small roots and fibers, usually well hidden in a shady conifer. Incubation ranges from 16 to 18 days and is carried out by the female.
Foraging and Feeding
Steller's Jay: Diet consists of nuts, pine seeds, acorns, small invertebrates, and bird eggs; also scavenges around human habitations; forages on the ground or in trees and shrubs.
Readily Eats
Cracked Corn, Suet, Sunflower Seed
Vocalization
Steller's Jay: Calls include "shaack, shaack, shack" and "shooka, shooka" notes. Often mimics calls of other birds, including loons and hawks.
Similar Species
Steller's Jay: Blue Jay has a blue crest, pale gray underparts, and spots on wings and tails.