The bird that is often confused with the blue jay due to their similar blue plumage is the Steller’s jay. The Steller’s jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) and the blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) belong to the same genus Cyanocitta in the Corvidae family, which consists of crows, ravens, magpies and jays. Although they appear very similar at first glance, there are some key differences between Steller’s jays and blue jays in terms of physical appearance, habitat, diet, and behavior.
Physical Appearance
Both Steller’s jays and blue jays have predominantly blue plumage on their upperparts and wings. However, the most noticeable difference is on the head and neck.
- Steller’s jays have a distinct crest on top of their heads that often lies flat.
- Blue jays have slightly crested heads but lack the distinctive crest of Steller’s jays.
- Steller’s jays have black plumage on their heads and necks, giving them an overall darker appearance compared to blue jays which have lighter blue and grey plumage on their heads.
Some key physical differences between Steller’s jays and blue jays:
Feature | Steller’s Jay | Blue Jay |
---|---|---|
Head | Black with prominent crest | Blue/grey with slight crest |
Neck | Black | Blue/grey |
Belly | Dark blue or blue-grey | Light blue or white |
Wings | Bright blue with black bars | Different shades of blue |
Tail | Long and blue with black bars | Medium blue with white tips |
In terms of size, Steller’s jays are slightly larger with a total body length of 30–34 cm compared to 20–30 cm in blue jays. Their wingspans are similar at 34–43 cm.
Habitat
The habitats preferred by Steller’s jays and blue jays differ significantly:
- Steller’s jays are native to forested areas of western North America, along the Pacific coast and in the mountainous regions.
- Blue jays occupy a much wider range in eastern and central North America, in both forested and suburban areas.
Within their forest habitats, Steller’s jays tend to forage in the middle and lower canopy levels, whereas blue jays will venture from the high canopy to the ground. Steller’s jays are less likely to thrive in suburban neighborhoods or urban areas than blue jays.
Diet
The diets of Steller’s jays and blue jays have some overlap but also key differences:
- Both birds are omnivorous, consuming nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, spiders, eggs and small vertebrates.
- However, Steller’s jays have a greater propensity to feed on pine nuts and acorns whereas blue jays take more beechnuts and sunflower seeds.
- Steller’s jays are more predatory and eat larger prey like rodents, lizards and nestling birds. Blue jays take smaller prey like dragonflies and caterpillars.
- Blue jays supplement their diet more with backyard bird feeders.
A comparative table of their dietary habits:
Diet | Steller’s Jay | Blue Jay |
---|---|---|
Nuts | Pine nuts, acorns | Beechnuts, hazelnuts |
Seeds | Pinon seeds | Sunflower, thistle |
Fruit | Berries, wild fruits | Cultivated fruits |
Insects | Beetles, caterpillars | Caterpillars, dragonflies |
Other prey | Rodents, lizards, eggs | Frogs, eggs |
Behavior
There are some notable behavioral differences between these two jay species:
- Steller’s jays are highly territorial and stay in mated pairs year-round. Blue jays have weaker bonds, traveling in familial groups.
- Steller’s jays are quieter, lacking the loud ‘jay jay’ calls of blue jays.
- Blue jays are more likely to visit bird feeders and are generally more comfortable around human habitats.
- Steller’s jays exhibit more cautious, shy behavior and keep their distance from humans.
Vocalizations
The vocal repertoires of Steller’s jays and blue jays reflect their behavioral differences:
- Steller’s jays make a wide variety of gurgling and rattling sounds, sometimes described as ‘harsh’ compared to blue jays.
- Blue jays have a broad vocal range including mimicking hawks, but are known for their loud, mocking ‘jay jay’ calls.
- Steller’s jays have a quieter, subtler array of calls used for communicating with their mate or flock rather than alarming others.
Intelligence
As members of the Corvidae family, both Steller’s jays and blue jays are considered highly intelligent birds that exhibit complex behaviors such as tool use and food caching:
- Blue jays are one of the most intelligent birds, known for mimicking other species. They can be crafty when stealing eggs and nestlings.
- Steller’s jays also show high intelligence by coordinating mobbing against predators and adapting well to new food sources.
- Both jays can solve problems and learn new tricks through play when young.
Conclusion
In summary, the bird that resembles a blue jay in western North America is the Steller’s jay. While they appear similar at first glance, key differences in physical features like the head crest and neck coloration distinguish the Steller’s jay. They also occupy different habitats, exhibit different vocalizations and behaviors, and have slightly varied diets, though both are highly adaptable and intelligent birds. So the next time you see a ‘blue jay’ in the mountains or forests of the west, take a closer look – it may in fact be the more elusive Steller’s jay!