Stellar's Jay

Steller's jay is a bird native to western North America and the mountains of Central America, closely related to the blue jay found in eastern North America. It is the only crested jay west of the Rocky Mountains. There are stories specifically about the Steller's Jay in mythology. “He is the message of hope in disrepair and the will to live. The jay is willing to teach you fearlessness, adaptability and survival but you must be willing to follow its lead.” A common bird of western forests. Steller's Jay is most numerous in dense coniferous woods of the mountains and the northwest coast, where its dark colors blend in well in the shadows. Unlike many other birds, the Steller's Jay seems to thrive in human-altered habitats. The species is still common, but it's vulnerable to many of the same factors threatening less adaptable species, particularly predation by cats, pesticide poisoning, and collisions. To attract Steller's Jays to your feeders, put out food with peanuts or other large seeds and nuts as well as suet.

Scientific name: Cyanocitta stelleri

Lifespan: 16 years and 1 month

Distribution:

Steller's jays are found in western North America as far east as the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains from southern Alaska in the north to northern Nicaragua. They are also found in Mexico, south-central Guatemala, northern El Salvador, and Honduras. Steller's jays do not migrate and prefer to live in coniferous forests; however, they can also be found in pine-oak woodlands and are common in agricultural areas with nearby forests.