A bird sporting an impressive triangular crest, half black and half blue, finished off with a definitive black and blue demarcation.
Meet the Stellers Jay
Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) is a jay related to the more well-known Blue jay. From a distance they appear quite dark, missing the white underparts of other jay species. The head is dark black, going almost all the way down the back, while the rest of the body is blue.
The Steller's Jay is native to western North America. It is also known as the long-crested jay, mountain jay, and pine jay.
They are common in North Idaho, but they occur throughout the higher-elevation coniferous forests coating the western half of the Americas, from Alaska to Nicaragua.
Stellers Jay primarily prefers to live in coniferous forests, it can be found in other types of forests as well. They can be found from low to moderate elevations, and on rare occasions to as high as the tree line. Steller's jays are common in residential and agricultural areas with nearby forests.
Being an omnivores bird, Steller's jay eats about two-thirds plant matter and one-third animal matter.
Steller's jays remain in monogamous pairs, incubating a clutch of eggs by the female for about 16 days. During this time the male feeds the female. The nest is usually found in a conifer, but can also sometimes be found in the hollow of a tree or awning of a house.
Steller's Jay Nest and Eggs
Adults likely mate for life. They engage in courtship feeding and show off by throwing their crests and vibrant blue feathers around.
YOU CAN WATCH AND LISTEN TO THIS BIRD RIGHT HERE IN THE VIDEO BELOW: