Steller's Jay

Cyanocitta stelleri

The Steller's Jay is the only crested Jay of the Western United States, where the Blue Jay is absent.  There are cases of Steller's Jays and Blue Jays interbreeding in their overlapping ranges of the Eastern Rockies.  Steller's Jays are bold campground robbers, but otherwise are generally shy, retiring birds of dense Western forests.  They are very rare visitors to South Dakota.

Habitat: Primarily conifer and mixed forests, much less common in groves of deciduous trees.

Diet: Omnivorous.  Eats large numbers of nuts and seeds, especially pine seeds and acorns.  Also eats fruits and berries, insects, frogs, snakes, small lizards, eggs and young birds, small rodents, carrion, and garbage.

Behavior: Most often forages high in the forest canopy for nuts and seeds, but will also forage lower in the canopy or along the ground for other items.  They can be extremely bold around campsites and picnic areas in search of human food.

Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota

Song: Steller's Jay Call

Migration: Generally a permanent resident, but will move to lower elevations in the winter.

Similar Species: Blue Jay

Feeders: Will attend feeders for assorted nuts and seeds.

Status: Populations are stable and perhaps increasing.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Steller's Jay

2) Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Steller's Jay

3) eNature.com - Steller's Jay

Photo Information: June 21st, 2008 - Near Lassen Peak in northern California - Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Steller's Jay photos.