The Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) is a common bird in forests across much of western North America (from southern Alaska, British Columbia, western Wyoming, and western Colorado and New Mexico west) south through the highlands of Middle America (except Belize) to Nicaragua. These jays occur mainly in coniferous and mixed coniferous-deciduous forest, including humid coniferous forests in northwestern North America and arid pine-oak association in the Middle American highlands.

Except when nesting, Steller's Jays generally live in flocks. They are omnivorous, with a diet that is around two thirds plant material and one third animal. They consume many pine seeds and acorns, especially during fall and winter, as well as many berries and fruits. Especially in summer, many insects are consumed. Other components of the diet include spiders, bird eggs, table scraps, and sometimes small rodents or lizards. Steller's Jays forage mainly high in trees, but they will also feed low or even on the ground.

During courtship, the male feeds the female. Adults are quiet and secretive when nesting, but become noisy and aggressive if the nest is threatened. The nest is usually constructed in a coniferous tree, typically 3 to 9 m above the ground, but sometimes much higher or lower. The nest (built by both sexes) is a bulky and ragged cup of twigs, weeds, moss, and dry leaves cemented together with mud and lined with fine grass, rootlets, and pine needles. Bits of paper are often added to the nest. The 4 eggs (sometimes 3 or 5, rarely 2 or 6) are pale blue-green, finely spotted with brown or olive, and are incubated (mostly or entirely by the female) for 16 to 18 days. Nestlings are fed by both parents. Age of first flight is uncertain, but probably around 3 weeks.

The Steller's Jay is often a permanent (i.e., year-round) resident, but in some areas may move to lower elevations in winter.

(Kaufman 1996; AOU 1998; Dunn and Alderfer 2011)

Starting from the southern coast of Alaska, the range extends continuously southward through the Rocky Mountain region of the western United States into Mexico, and scatters through Central America, terminating in north-central Nicaragua. The western edge of distribution lies along the Pacific coast, and reaches eastward as far as eastern Colorado (Greene et al. 1998; National Geographic Society 1987).

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); neotropical (Native )

Global Range: RESIDENT: south-coastal and southeastern Alaska, western and southeastern British Columbia, southwestern Alberta, western Montana, Wyoming, northern Colorado, and western Nebraska south to southern California, Arizona, east to east-central Colorado, central New Mexico, western Texas south through highlands of Middle America to north-central Nicaragua (AOU 1983).

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Adult C. stelleri average in length ranging from 30 to 34 cm., with a mass of 100-140 g. The wingspan varies from approximately 45 to 48 cm. Distinguishing characteristics include a black, thick, pointed bill typical of corvids. Coloration consists of dark blue/cobalt plumage throughout most of the body, including the wings, coverts and rectrices. The wings and rectrices also possess a pattern of black barring, perpendicular to the rachis of the feathers. The entire head is usually black, although certain subspecies such as C. stelleri macrolopha may have white streaks along the forehead and supercilium. Other races have even further deviations from typical C. stelleri plumage. Perhaps the most conspicuous characteristic of C. stelleri is the presence of a tall, black crest. Juveniles are distinguished by a sooty gray coloring on the head and body, as well as a shorter crest. The sexes are nearly monomorphic, with the exception of fainter and narrower bars in the barring pattern of females (Green et al. 1998; National Geographic Society 1987; Rue III 1970; Terres 1980).

Range mass: 100 to 140 g.

Length: 29 cm

Weight: 106 grams

Cyanocitta stelleri primarily reside within coniferous forests, though deciduous forests are also chosen. The altitude of habitat location ranges between 1000-3500 meters. Although C. stelleri are non-migratory birds, migration from high to lower elevation is known to take place during the winter season (Greene et al 1998; Kaufman 1996; National Geographic Society 1987; Terres 1980).

Terrestrial Biomes: taiga ; chaparral ; forest

Systems

• Terrestrial

Comments: Coniferous and mixed coniferous-deciduous forest; humid coniferous forest (in northwestern North America), and arid pine-oak; also occurs in open woodland, campsites, orchards, and gardens (AOU 1983). Usually nests in a conifer tree, sometimes nests in shrub, 2.5-4 m above ground, sometimes up to 30 m (Terres 1980).

Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.

Locally Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

May move from mountains to lowlands during the winter. May move locally southward for winter.

Cyanocitta stelleri are omnivorous, with a diet consisting primarily of nuts, pine seeds and acorns. Like other corvids, Steller's Jays eat the eggs of other birds. Foraging takes place on the ground and within the trees. Scavenging is also known to take place, most of which occurs within developed areas and campgrounds. During winter, C. stelleri depend upon seeds and nuts, though they may also scavenge and even prey upon small invertebrates that happen to be active within the habitat at the time (Greene et al 1998; Kaufman 1996; Sieving et al 1999).

Comments: Feeds on acorns, pine seeds, fruit, insects, spiders, small reptiles and amphibians, eggs and young of small birds (Terres 1980). Forages in trees and on the ground.

Cyanocitta stelleri preys on:
Pinus
Orthoptera
Hemiptera
ground invertebrates
Hymenoptera
Sitta canadensis

Based on studies in:
USA: Arizona (Forest, Montane)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

May travel in flocks of a dozen or more but less gregarious than other jays (Terres 1980).

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 193 months.

Maximum longevity: 16.1 years (wild)

Steller's Jays are monogamous. They perform a display upon initial encounters called Sexual Sidling. After a mate has been selected, both individuals participate in selecting a site and building the nest. The nest is a cup structure, typically made up of mud and durable material such as thick plant fibers, twigs and rootlets. The location of the nest is above the ground within trees. The height usually ranges between 3-12 m., though lower nests have been found. Females have the ability to lay one egg per day, with the clutch ranging between 2-6 eggs. The incubation time is approximately 16 days. The female may do all the incubation, although it has been claimed that males may also incubate. The rate of development of the young after hatching is not completely known, though the first molt probably takes place after 2 weeks, while flight is thought to first take place after 3 weeks (Greene et al 1998; Kaufman 1996; Terres 1980).

Average eggs per season: 4.

Clutch size is 3-5 (usually 4). Incubation is by female. Altricial young are tended by both adults.

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species. 

 
There are 10 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.
 

Download FASTA File

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 10
Species: 18
Species With Barcodes: 1

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Species: 2
Species With Barcodes: 1

Cyanocitta stelleri is neither endangered nor threatened according to any of the organizations involved with biodiversity and conservation.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Since Cyanocitta stelleri are often observed scavenging at picnic and campsites within their habitats, there exists the possibility of being considered as a nuisance (Greene et al 1998; National Geographic Society 1987).

Cyanocitta stelleri do not have any strong economic/agricultural contributions, though their consumption of insects may have an impact on pest control.

Comments: Hybridizes infrequently with C. CRISTATA in eastern Colorado and may constitute a superspecies with it (AOU 1998).