Steller's Jay

A Steller's jay with a moderately heightened crest perched on a pinyon tree branch.

NPS/T. Miller

The Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) is easily identifiable by their azure blue body, black head, and triangular crest atop their crown. The height of the crest may signal many different behaviors. When resting, during courtship, and while foraging the crest is depressed laying mostly flat on the head. During aggressive behavior or stressful situations the crest is held at a slightly higher angle. However, the crest is most erect when the bird is entangled in life or death situations such as high-intensity fighting or predator mobbing.

Steller's jays pair bond and rarely change mates unless they lose a partner. Once bonded the pair will rarely be seen apart. The pair chooses a nesting site and builds their nest together. While Steller's jays are normally quite vocal, once a clutch of 4-5 eggs is laid in late May of early June, females become nearly silent when guarding their nest. The eggs will incubate for 16-18 days. The parents will feed the fledglings for about a month before leaving them to fend for themselves.

Steller's jay can be found in pinyon-juniper, ponderosa, and oak woodlands across the monument. The birds frequently interact with other species of jays but most often associate with other Steller's jays. Their broad rounded wings assist them in swooping to their food. Some Steller's jays will sample food before snatching it up and carrying it off to eat. This risky behavior puts them at higher risk of predation as every second spent enjoying a morsel outside of cover leaves them vulnerable.