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Cyanocitta stelleri
A large, dark jay of evergreen forests in the mountainous West. Graceful and almost lazy in flight, they fly with long swoops on their broad, rounded wings.
Found in the evergreen forests of western North America, at elevations of 3,000-10,000 feet (lower along the Pacific coast). Although common in forest wildernesses they are also fixtures of campgrounds, parklands, and backyards, where they are quick to spy bird feeders as well as unattended picnic items. This one was seen in the picnic area of Estes Rocky Mountain National Park.
thanks for your interest CoralLea. I'd never seen one before either. I guess Anna-Maria Paszterko amd LauraMaria answered your query... Maybe you were mixing this bird up with another one.
The Steller's jay is fairly widespread in North America, CoralLea :) And great series, pamsai, as always!
The Steller's Jay is a jay native to western North America, closely related to the Blue Jay found in the rest of the continent, but with a black head and upper body. It is also known as the Long-crested Jay, Mountain Jay, and Pine Jay. Wikipedia
Spotted on Aug 31, 2012
Submitted on Sep 1, 2012
