There are two main species of blue jays that can be found in Washington state: the Steller’s jay and the western scrub jay. Blue jays are medium-sized songbirds that belong to the Corvidae family, which also includes crows, ravens, magpies, and nutcrackers. They are known for their intelligence and complex social behavior.
Blue jays are native to North America and can be found throughout much of the eastern and western United States. Their range extends into the Pacific Northwest, including the state of Washington. While there are three subspecies of the western scrub jay that can be found in different parts of the western U.S., the coastal subspecies is the one mainly found in Washington.
Steller’s jays and western scrub jays have distinctive blue plumage on their wings and tails that gives them their common name. However, they can be differentiated by their coloration and patterns on their heads. Steller’s jays have a black head and crest, while western scrub jays have a white forehead and lighter blue on their throat and belly.
Steller’s Jay
The Steller’s jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) is common in forested areas west of the Cascade Mountains in Washington. It is a large, crested jay with deep blue and black plumage and a long, tapered tail.
Some key facts about Steller’s jays:
– Size: 27-32 cm in length. Steller’s jays are one of the largest members of the Corvidae family.
– Coloration: Bright blue wings and tail, blackish-blue crest, and black head, nape, and throat. Their underside is pale gray.
– Habitat: Mature coniferous forests, especially ones with tall Douglas firs. Also found in mixed woods, parks, and residential areas.
– Range: Found along the Pacific coast from Alaska to California. In Washington, their range includes the western regions in the Cascade Mountains and coastal areas like the Olympic Peninsula.
– Diet: Omnivorous. They eat insects, nuts and seeds, fruits and berries, small vertebrates, eggs, and even carrion.
– Behavior: Intelligent and social. They form monogamous breeding pairs and cooperate to raise young in family groups. They are bold around humans. Their loud, scratchy calls are a familiar sound in northwest forests.
– Nesting: Build large stick nests high up in conifers. The female incubates 3-5 eggs for 16 days. Young fledge from the nest after 18-21 days.
– Conservation status: Least concern. Steller’s jay numbers are stable throughout their range.
Identification Tips
– Look for the prominent black crest to distinguish Steller’s jays from other blue jays in Washington.
– Their dark blackish-blue plumage lacks the lighter belly and white markings found on scrub jays.
– Listen for loud, harsh calls that sound like “shreeeek!” or “ack-ack-ack”.
– Often found in small flocks traveling between forest patches or settling down to form breeding pairs.
Western Scrub Jay
The western scrub jay (Aphelocoma californica) is found in both urban and rural habitats across Washington, east of the Cascade crest. They have lighter blue plumage overall compared to Steller’s jays.
Key facts about western scrub jays:
– Size: 21-24 cm long. More petite than Steller’s jays.
– Coloration: Pale blue throat and belly, brighter blue wings and tail, grayish back, white forehead, and pale bill. No crest.
– Habitat: Open woodlands, scrub oak, parks, suburbs, backyards. Found at sea level up to 10,000 ft elevation.
– Range: Year-round resident across the western half of Washington. Also found down the Pacific coast and inland west of the Rockies.
– Diet: Omnivorous, eats both plant and animal matter. Acorn specialists.
– Behavior: Intelligent, noisy, and social. Cautious around humans. Listen for their rattling calls.
– Nesting: Build nests low in trees and bushes. Female incubates 2-6 eggs for 16 days. Young fledge 16-19 days after hatching.
– Conservation status: Currently secure but urbanization and loss of oak woodlands have caused some declines regionally.
Identification Tips
– Look for the pale blue throat/belly and white forehead to ID scrub jays.
– Lack the prominent crest and very dark plumage of Steller’s jays.
– The coastal subspecies found in western Washington is brighter blue above with pale gray underparts.
– Listen for their harsh, scolding “shreeer” calls.
– Often found hopping on ground or making short flights between bushes.
Range and Habitat
Blue jays are found across Washington state but the two species have distinct ranges and habitat preferences:
Steller’s Jay
– Occurs primarily west of the Cascade crest.
– Associated with coniferous forests like Douglas fir, pine, hemlock, and spruce.
– Reaches highest densities in unlogged mature and old-growth forests.
– Also found along forest edges, in recently burned areas, parks, and residential areas interspersed in forests.
Western Scrub Jay
– Found across Washington except for the higher elevations of the Cascades and northeastern corner of the state.
– Most abundant west of the Cascades but a common resident east of the mountains too.
– Prefers open oak and pine woodlands, scrublands, riparian areas, and mixed evergreen forests.
– Also thrives in urban parks, gardens, and backyards.
Elevational Distribution
| Species | Elevational Range |
|---|---|
| Steller’s jay | Sea level to 9,000 ft |
| Western scrub jay | Sea level to 10,000 ft |
As the table shows, western scrub jays occupy a broader elevational range in Washington compared to Steller’s jays, which are restricted to lower and middle elevations. Scrub jays also extend farther east into the interior of Washington.
Population and Conservation
Blue jays are not currently threatened or endangered in Washington. However, the two species have differing population trends:
Steller’s Jay
– Considered common and numbers are stable across their range, including in Washington.
– Not listed as threatened or endangered by state wildlife agencies or conservation organizations.
– May face local declines in areas of heavy forest fragmentation and logging.
Western Scrub Jay
– Underwent significant declines in Washington during the late 20th century.
– Population reductions linked to loss of oak woodlands, urbanization, and West Nile Virus.
– Listed as a Priority Species by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife since the 1990s.
– Ongoing conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and restoration.
– Numbers have rebounded somewhat in recent decades but still below historical levels.
Both species adapt readily to backyard feeding and nest boxes. Providing habitat corridors between forest patches can help jays move safely. Reducing pesticide use and limiting logging of mature forests benefits Steller’s jays. Planting native oak trees and shrubs helps restore scrub jay habitat.
Interactions with Humans
Blue jays are highly intelligent birds that interact with humans in some notable ways:
– **Backyard visitors** – Both Steller’s and scrub jays visit backyards frequently if food sources like feeders, nuts, and fruit trees are available. However, Steller’s jays are bolder thieves.
– **Mimicry** – Blue jays are excellent mimics and can imitatecalls of other bird species and even human speech. Scrub jays take mimicry to an advanced level with “vocal mapping” of their environment.
– **Caching behavior** – Jays are famous for caching thousands of acorns each year. This benefits oak dispersal but also causes conflicts with human agriculture and landscaping.
– **Intelligence testing** – In lab experiments, blue jays demonstrate capacities for cognitive skills like object permanence, future planning, and imagination. Their problem-solving rivals corvids like crows.
– **Folklore depictions** – Blue jays appear in myths and legends of some Native American tribes. They are depicted as a gossip or an arrogant thief in many tales.
– **Backlash and persecution** – Some people consider jays aggressive pests. However, killing blue jays is illegal under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act without proper permits.
Overall, blue jays are iconic North American birds that have captivated human imagination with their intelligence, adaptability, and energetic personalities. Developing an appreciation for their positive traits while taking steps to avoid conflicts can lead to a better coexistence with these characterful birds.
Comparison of Blue Jay Species in Washington
Here is a summary table comparing some key characteristics of Steller’s jays and western scrub jays found within Washington state:
| Feature | Steller’s Jay | Western Scrub Jay |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 27-32 cm in length | 21-24 cm in length |
| Appearance | Deep blue & black plumage, prominent crest | Pale blue plumage front & rear, white forehead, no crest |
| Habitat | Mature conifer forests | Oak woodlands, scrub, mixed forests |
| Range | West of Cascades | Statewide except NE corner |
| Elevation | Sea level to 9,000 ft | Sea level to 10,000 ft |
| Diet | Omnivorous | Omnivorous, prefers acorns |
| Conservation | Least concern | Priority species, recovering |
This comparison highlights key differences in identification, distribution, ecology, and conservation status that help distinguish Washington’s two resident blue jay species.
Conclusion
Washington is home to two species of vibrant blue jays: Steller’s jays in coastal and Cascade Range forests west of the mountains, and western scrub jays widespread across the state in both rural and urban areas.
Steller’s jays are larger, darker jays associated with coniferous forests, especially mature and old-growth stands. Western scrub jays are more petite, paler jays that thrive in open woodlands and scrub habitat. Their adaptability allows them to flourish in city parks and backyards.
While Steller’s jays are currently stable, habitat loss has caused declines in western scrub jay numbers over the past century. However, ongoing conservation initiatives aimed at protecting and restoring native habitats continue to benefit Washington’s jays.
Blue jays are exceptionally intelligent birds whose antics, from mimicking speech to stealing acorns, have captivated humans for centuries. Developing an appreciation for the ecological roles jays fill as well as solutions to occasional conflicts will allow for a more harmonious coexistence with these characterful blue denizens of Washington’s forests and neighborhoods.
