Stellar's Jay in Walnut Creek, California (1 Viewer)

[Crowquette]

The Stellar's Jay has the body shape of a cardinal and is about 11 inches long... the head is a deep indigo blue (almost black) and the back is a more medium blue. The tail and chest are a light blue (no white at all on this variety of bluejay).

We get scrubjays in my yard commonly, but this fellow has shown up for four days now and is totally unlike all the others. Of course I sensed immediately he was a species of bluejay I'd never seen before and went running to the birding guides... and found my lovely Stellar Jay friend listed in there looking just like he did in my yard!

I am delighted to have this new friend coming around to say hello, and when I spoke to him finally and he flew, he flew TOWARDS my house where I was at the kitchen window as if to greet me and say hello back, then flew right over my roof.

Hugs,
Crowquette

 

[buckskin hawk]

I have had Stellers at my campground in the Rocky mountains every year I go. They are very bold, landing on the picnic table while you are eating etc. Clark's Nutcrackers are just as bold it seems to me. I have had a Clark' Nutcracker land on the wind break of my camp stove while I was cooking dinner.

Isn't it fun to get an unusual bird to visit your home--just like having a famous guest.

 

[Crowquette]

I have had Stellers at my campground in the Rocky mountains every year I go. They are very bold, landing on the picnic table while you are eating etc. Clark's Nutcrackers are just as bold it seems to me. I have had a Clark' Nutcracker land on the wind break of my camp stove while I was cooking dinner.

Isn't it fun to get an unusual bird to visit your home--just like having a famous guest.

It really is, hon, and thanks for the support. Lately I've been seeing an occasional red-tailed hawk too... he doesn't stay much cuz he knows I won't let him eat the kitties, squirrels, and smaller birds, but he likes to circle overhead enough to tell me he is around.

Warmly,
Crowquette

 

[Katy Penland]

Hi, Crowquette, I can empathize with your Steller's experience. We have them here in northeast AZ as well, and every morning when I open my bedroom blinds, that's the signal for them to fly into the back yard for their morning peanuts. If I'm not up as early as they think I should be, they'll gather in the juniper closest to my windows and yell. They're great clowns, and the repertoire of vocalizations they have is astounding, especially when nattering amongst themselves. Far more extensive than what's on any CD I've heard.

 

[Crowquette]

Katy, I am delighted to have this new friend around.... he is a change from the usual scrubjays and is beautiful to behold. I love all the birds, scrubjays included.

Blessings on you,
Crowquette

 

[fungi]

It seems that members of the crow family are pretty bold. I have seen pictures of an Island Scrub Jay eating peanuts from people's hands. I assumed incorrectly the guy would be shy because of Santa Cruz Island's isolation.

Anyway, Crowquette - are you by San Francisco? I live near LA.

 

[JeffMoh]

Envious!

I'm envious. We used to live in Pittsburg and regularly saw Steller's Jays in Mitchell Canyon. Now we're near Houston, the only jays we normally see are Blue Jays. (Of course, when we lived in the Bay Area, we used to eny those people who routinely saw Blue Jays!)

The other birds we really, realy miss are Juncos (haven't seen one in 3 years here, while we'd often see flocks of 70+ at Mitchell), Black Phoebes (infinitely prettier than Eastern ones), Lesser Goldfinch, Rufous Hummingbirds and Spotted Towhees.

There are compensations, though. Yesterday I saw 200-300 Wood Storks and this morning a Pine Warbler. Plus our most reliable feeder birds are Northern Cardinals, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice and Red-bellied Woodpeckers.

 

[Crowquette]

It seems that members of the crow family are pretty bold. I have seen pictures of an Island Scrub Jay eating peanuts from people's hands. I assumed incorrectly the guy would be shy because of Santa Cruz Island's isolation.

Anyway, Crowquette - are you by San Francisco? I live near LA.

Yes, Fungi, I live 45 minutes' drive INLAND from San Francisco.... 60 minutes drive North of San Jose... and 90 minutes drive South of Sacramento.

Blessings to you and yours,
Crowquette

 

[Crowquette]

I'm envious. We used to live in Pittsburg and regularly saw Steller's Jays in Mitchell Canyon. Now we're near Houston, the only jays we normally see are Blue Jays. (Of course, when we lived in the Bay Area, we used to eny those people who routinely saw Blue Jays!)

The other birds we really, realy miss are Juncos (haven't seen one in 3 years here, while we'd often see flocks of 70+ at Mitchell), Black Phoebes (infinitely prettier than Eastern ones), Lesser Goldfinch, Rufous Hummingbirds and Spotted Towhees.

There are compensations, though. Yesterday I saw 200-300 Wood Storks and this morning a Pine Warbler. Plus our most reliable feeder birds are Northern Cardinals, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice and Red-bellied Woodpeckers.

I love each and every bird friend I have... the Avian Flu hype the media is scaring people with makes me wonder how safe the birds are everywhere... I've told my bird friends in the yard that if they are endangered by terrified people they have my permission to go to where they are safe from slaughter and safe from any risk of the Avian Flu, and then return to me when the time is right... they and I will all know if that time is at hand and I want their health and happiness insured.

Hugs to you and yours,
Crowquette