Steller's Jay

The Steller's Jay is a striking corvid of coniferous forests throughout the mountainous West, easily told apart by its prominent black crest and two-toned body plumage. Its feathers show a sharp transition from dark sooty-black on the head, back, and chest to deep, vibrant blue on the wings, tail, and belly, often with fine black barring on the wing and tail feathers. This species is a frequent visitor to campgrounds and mountain feeders, making its feathers a common find in western coniferous habitats.

Size and Shape

Steller's Jay feathers are moderately large and sturdy, with elongated, pointed crest feathers on the head and broad, rounded wing and tail feathers.

Color and Pattern

• Head, crest, and upper back feathers: sooty black to dark brown, unbarred
• Wing and tail feathers: rich blue with narrow dark barring
• Some individuals show faint pale streaking on the forehead

Distinguishing from Similar Species

Steller's Jay feathers are readily told apart from Blue Jay feathers by the lack of white markings; Steller's plumage has no white anywhere, while Blue Jay feathers show bold white wing bars and tail corners. The sooty black head and back contrasting sharply with blue wings is unique among western jays.

Sexes are similar, both showing the sooty black head and back with blue wings, tail, and belly, and a prominent black crest year-round. Juveniles are duller and browner overall before acquiring adult coloration. Adults undergo a single complete molt in late summer after the breeding season, replacing crest, body, and flight feathers.

Steller's Jays inhabit coniferous and mixed forests through the mountainous western United States, western Canada, and south through Mexico and Central America. The species is largely resident, though some individuals move to lower elevations in harsh winters. It is a familiar visitor to campgrounds, picnic areas, and backyard feeders within its forested range.

This jay is an opportunistic omnivore, eating conifer seeds, acorns, insects, small vertebrates, and readily taking scraps around human activity. It builds a bulky stick nest in conifers and is known for caching food for later use, similar to other jays. Steller's Jay has a harsh, scolding "shaak-shaak-shaak" call and is also an accomplished mimic, capable of imitating hawk calls and other sounds. It is bold and inquisitive around people, often approaching campsites for food.