Discovering Seattle’s Blue Jay: The Steller’s Jay

Steller’s Jay | Pedro Rodriguez | NextGen councilmember 

by Wren Wagenbach, NextGen Councilmember

So you saw a blue bird in Seattle and immediately thought: “Blue Jay!” And you would be correct that you saw a jay that was blue, but chances are you actually spotted a Steller’s Jay. Both Steller’s Jays and Blue Jays are both, well, “blue” jays with dramatic crests on their heads and they can be easily confused. Blue Jays are primarily found in the eastern and central United States and Canada, while Steller’s Jays are strictly a western species, ranging from Alaska down through the Rocky Mountains to Central America.

Steller’s Jays are our most common jay here in Seattle. In Western Washington you can also find California Scrub Jays, Canada Jays, and (very rarely!) Blue Jays.  However, our Steller’s Jays have dark, black feathers on their crest and down their shoulders and beautifully deep blue feathers on their body, wings, and tail. They also have distinct vertical stripes of blue in front of each eye. Blue Jays, on the other hand, are a lighter sky-blue color with white on their face and undersides. Scrub Jays lack the crest that the other two sport, they are a rich blue and gray above with buffy undersides and a blue neckline. Canada Jays (formerly the Gray Jay, and lovingly also known as the “camp robber” or “robber jay”) are markedly different without any blue feathers. Arguably the “cutest” jay, they have large eyes, and  are gray overall with white chests and white feathers on their foreheads that make them look like they have a receding hairline. 

Blue Jay | Charles Wheeler | Audubon Photography Awards

Like the other jays, Steller’s Jays are boisterous, loud, clever troublemakers that tend to hang around picnic areas and campsites where people might drop food. In my personal experience, they love to eat whole peanuts and will sit outside my door calling until I come out to leave some for them. 

Steller’s Jays have a distinct (and rarely heard) courtship song, but the most common vocalization to keep an ear out for is their harsh and grating “nyeah, nyeah, nyeah” call that almost sounds like a slow, judgemental laugh. They also often mimic other bird calls, like raptors and woodpeckers, and can even imitate squirrels and lawn sprinklers. Steller’s Jays are lively animals that contribute a strong personality to the backyard bird crew. Keep an eye out for them in Seattle and make sure not to call them “blue jays” or they will laugh at you from the treetops and steal all your peanuts.