This dark iridescent blue cousin of the Blue Jay is a bird of the mountains. In Alberta it lives only in the mountains. It may breed in the southern Rockies around Waterton, and is sometimes seen in Banff and Jasper. It is far more common west of the continental divide, in BC.
Steller's Jays prefer montane coniferous forests above 1200 metres. In winter they might be attracted to feeders in mountain towns, where they share the bold and aggressive habits of their blue-jay cousins.
Like other corvids, the Steller's Jay is an opportunistic feeder. Everything from nestlings to nuts might make a tasty meal. Once emboldened, they will take food scraps readily at campsites.
The bulky nest of twigs, bark and leaves is molded with mud and lined with grass and rootlets. The three to five bluish green eggs are marked with brown. Young are fledged 18 days after an incubation period of 16 days.
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Where to find Steller's Jays in Alberta
This species does not occur in the Weaselhead/Glenmore Park area. However, Steller's Jays are occuring within the city limits more and more frequently and are now occuring during winter months in communities near the Weaselhead/Glenmore Park area. Therefore they should be expect to occur in the park in the near future. Brent Johner
Please Report the Steller's Jays You See in Alberta
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PAUL FINKLEMAN
for serving as the society's ADOPT-A-PARK COORDINATOR this year
KEN OAKES
for serving as the Society's 5th & 7th PRESIDENTS (2000 & 2007-present)