The handsome bird from last week’s puzzler is a Steller’s Jay, Cyanocitta stelleri. Did you recognize it?
Steller’s Jays are in the family Corvidae, which includes jays, magpies, crows and ravens. The Sibley’s Field Guide to Bird of Western North America says “these are relatively large songbirds with thick bills, strong legs and loud voices.” Birds in the family Corvidae are all social and travel in groups. Most are also inquisitive and intelligent.
Steller’s Jays live on the west coast, up through Canada and into Alaska, at elevations from 3000-10,000 feet. Like other jays, they make a lot of noise and are often heard before they are seen.
These birds are not fussy when it comes to food, feeding on a variety of things including insects, acorns and other nuts, berries, small animals, bird eggs, and nestlings. Steller’s Jays are common visitors to campgrounds, parks and other places where people congregate and will readily pick through trash or accept handouts. In preparation for winter, Steller’s Jays bury (cache) nuts, such as acorns or pinyon pine seeds for later consumption. Of course they can’t possibly remember all of those that they hid, so thanks to the jays, new trees might be given a start.
Have you enjoyed the run of birds that we’ve been on? I could keep going with many more bird clues, but will change tracks now with our next puzzler. It’s anyone’s guess what it is… such big eyes! Check it out!