Crows & Jays

Common raven

NPS Photo

Common Raven (Corvus corax)

Common Ravens occur in nearly any habitat from tundra above the Arctic Circle to hot desert areas of the southwest. They can often be found in heavily forested country but may also live on prairies if there are good nest sites (on cliffs) nearby. A massive (approximate wingspan of 45.7-46.5 inches), entirely black bird with a thick neck, shaggy throat feathers, and a prominent beak. In flight, ravens have long, wedge-shaped tails. They are more slender than crows with longer, narrower wings. Common ravens will eat almost anything they can get ahold of from carrion, small animals, eggs, and dung to garbage and unattended picnic items. They can typically be found foraging in pairs or working together to flush out prey.

Fun Facts: Ravens are confident, inquisitive birds that prefer to be alone or paired with one other raven. They are among the smartest of all birds. Young ravens just out of the nest pick up and examine almost anything they come across to learn what is or isn't useful.

 

Clark's Nutcracker

NPS Photo

Clark’s Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana)

The Clark’s Nutcracker is 12-13 inches long (30-33 cm) and is a pale grey or white with a large-pointed bill. Their wings and tail have large white patches that are most noticeable during flight. These birds prefer high mountain habitats in forests of pine. They may also be found in lower elevation pine forests when there are high pinecone levels. The Clark’s Nutcracker is an omnivore, eating both meat and plant-based food sources. Most of their diet consists of pine seeds, but may be supplemented by nuts, berries, snails, eggs, and carrion.

Fun Facts: This bird can store as many as 90 seeds in a special pouch behind its tongue when it is preparing to find places to cache the seeds for the winter.The male Clark’s Nutcracker helps with egg incubation, taking a turn when the female goes out to retrieve seeds from her caches for food.

 

Steller's Jay

Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)

The Steller's jay ranges west of the Rockies from Alaska to Mexico. Often found in higher elevations of pine-oak woodlands and coniferous forests, they will occasionally drop to lower elevations during the winter. They are harsh-voiced and aggressive in the manner in which they draw attention to themselves. Most jays are gregarious, forming large family groups, but the Steller's Jay is a solitary bird. They are usually only seen in groups of two or more during the nesting season. These Jays are omnivorous but feed mainly on seeds, nuts, fruits, and insects. However, they will also kill nestlings and scavenge. Steller's Jays can often be found in picnic areas begging for food.

Fun Facts: Steller's jays are very good at imitating other birds, especially Red-tailed hawks, flickers, squirrels, and cats. All jays mob predators. Owls and hawks can sometimes be found by following agitated jays and crows.