Steller's Jay
Cyanocitta stelleri
Summary 7
The Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) is a jay native to western North America, closely related to the blue jay found in the rest of the continent, but with a black head and upper body. It is also known as the long-crested jay, mountain jay, and pine jay. It is the only crested jay west of the Rocky Mountains.
Distribution 8
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 )
Morphology 9
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.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Habitat 10
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
Migration 11
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.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Kai Schreiber, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/50457550@N00/177140208
- (c) Tracie Hall, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3001/2967676319_e266fdebc7_o.jpg
- (c) Tracie, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3016/2974960371_debe03707c_o.jpg
- (c) Tracie Hall, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3282/2967661057_500ab553e6.jpg
- (c) Wing-Chi Poon, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/Steller%27s_Jay_as_Seen_from_the_Back.jpg/460px-Steller%27s_Jay_as_Seen_from_the_Back.jpg
- (c) Walter Siegmund, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/Cyanocitta_stelleri_08585.JPG
- (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanocitta_stelleri
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31389097
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31389099
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31389098
- (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28846916
