Sightings: Steller's Jays (Cyanocitta stelleri)

THE ORIGIN

June 28, 2007

Several years ago, I noticed a banded Steller's Jay sneaking kibble from our cat's food dish. Having no experience with bird studies, I wondered how and why that particular bird had been captured, and by whom. At that time, (before peanuts) jays were surprise visitors appearing on glorious, sunny days for brief encounters, stealing bits of food, then calling loudly from high branches of redwood trees.

Subsequently, I learned from my friend, Jeff Jacobsen, about Pia and Dr. Jeff Black's study of the "social system and ecological relationships that drive the distribution and dynamics of the local jay population" (Wildlife Department, Humboldt State University--see link below). Pia placed a feeder/trap at eye level outside my family room window where I could see the birds coming and going each day. I looked forward to watching their dazzling-blue plumage, jaunty crests, and trickster manners.

Each of us watching feeders have stories to tell about the relationships, habits, and unique characteristics of individual birds that frequent our places. I hope this blog will allow us to share our observations and images, as well as provide an opportunity to share our delight in these curious, smart, and at times, raucous birds. c.arnold

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Birds:

1. mwbw (Checkers)
2. mwlblb (Tame Bird)
3. mlbob (Mrs. Go)
4. mrgo (Mr. Go)
5. unbanded (Shopper)
6. mbow (Bow)
7. mgrr (Droopy)
8. unbanded juvenile—going in trap
9. morlb (Red Eye)
10. mwrg (Wringer)
11. banded juvenile
12. mlbrg
13. unbanded with leg mites

Notes:
I’m having trouble keeping track of all the unbanded adult birds here today. Shopper, with his sleeked back crest is easy to identify, as is unbanded with leg mites. His elbows are pink when he bends over, and his legs are swollen where they join his toes. This bird appears small and I suspect may be last year’s juvenile. There is another unbanded bird, quite large, who feeds on the bench with Checkers—lbpmp rattles when he arrives. Rusty Bill may be here, but his red feathers appear to be lighter—a blonder red. The region just below the lower bill is featherless and unusually pink. Could it be another bird, or molting changes?

I’m watching lbpmp carefully. I can almost see a bulge on her right side where her other ear is, but it is completely covered with feathers.

I am getting better at noticing the age differences among the juveniles. Some are getting their blue head stripes. These birds have a long, lean-necked look, while youngsters look plumper, downier, with grayer heads. Many of the juveniles are trying to get peanuts in their gullets, but they just aren’t big enough yet.

I’m curious about Droopy. I would guess she is a male based on her behavior. She is a spunky bird among all these males. They chase her; she chases them. She holds her own and lingers, always in a visible position, always busy. Mrs. Go, the resident female, isn’t as visible, preferring to perch in a tree, higher, in a more camouflaged lookout post. She is shyer, more cautious. It makes me so interested in this idea of “boldness”—its evolutionary advantages and disadvantages.