Steller’s Jays

Shouldn’t these birds really be called “Stellar” Jays? I certainly think of them as one of the stars of the bird-feeder! A noisy flock of these vibrant blue birds is definitely hard to miss.

Steller’s Jay in summer

But come nesting season, jays quiet right down. I suppose that they are avoiding drawing attention to the nest with their raucous calls.

Steller’s Jay in autumn

“Helpers at the nest” is a phenomenon exhibited by  the jays and other corvids – the young from the previous season may stick around and “help” with tending the current season’s young.  The flock that visits my feeder may be made up of the nesting pair, their older young and the young of the year.  They have a large call vocabulary and it would be great to spend the time documenting their different calls and when the birds use those calls.  It is always good to have projects!

Always alert

Steller’s Jays are certainly more than “Blue Jays dipped in ink”. I see a lot of these jays at my feeder in winter and on walks when they come to call a warning that I am around, but I wish I knew more about these intelligent and interesting birds. I am going to make more of an effort to find out more about Steller’s Jays.

I am going to head out today to see what I can see in all the new snow.

I hope you enjoy these photos.

On the lookout for winter food

Winter Steller’s Jay

All photos and writing in this blog copyright J.A. Siderius, 2013.