How to Spot a Steller's Jay

Find the Steller's Jay year round in the mountains from southern Alaska south to Central America and east to eastern Texas and Colorado. In the winter months, you may find the Steller's Jay at lower elevations than in the winter. Steller's Jays live in coniferous forests, mixed deciduous-coniferous forest and in open woodlands.

Take note of the size of this large songbird. The Steller's Jay weighs between 3.5 and 5 oz., and it has a length ranging from 12 to 13 inches. The wingspan of the Steller's Jay is approximately 17 inches in width.

Observe the appearance of the Steller's Jay, with a dark blue body, wings and tail. Their heads, chests and backs are dark gray to brownish-black in color. Both the wings and the tail of a Steller's Jay have black bars. Steller's Jays have a dark blue or a black crest on their heads, white or light blue streaks on their faces and white eyebrows. Male and female Steller's Jays have a similar appearance.

Listen to the call of the Steller's Jay. The call consists of varied sounds ranging from a "shaar" to a "shek" to a "shaack" sound. The call is loud and harsh in nature and can sound rattled. (See link in Resources.)

Watch the Steller's Jay in flight. These songbirds are direct flyers that fly with steady wing beats. You can see Steller's Jays flying in a single file line during the non-nesting season.