Steller’s jay

bird

Also known as: Cyanocitta stelleri

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Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

The Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) is a bird native to western North America. It is a member of the jay family, Corvidae, known for their bold and often raucous behavior.12

This species is characterized by its prominent crest and plumage that is black and dark blue. It is found west of the Rocky Mountains, where it replaces the blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) found east of the range. Jays are generally omnivorous, known to store food, and build twiggy nests in trees.12

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jay
…by the dark blue, black-crested Steller’s jay (C. stelleri). The gray jay (Perisoreus canadensis) inhabits the northern reaches of the United States and most of Canada.
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…by the dark blue, black-crested Steller’s jay (C. stelleri). The gray jay (Perisoreus canadensis) inhabits the northern reaches of the United States and most of Canada.
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Georg W. Steller
…jay that was later named Steller’s jay (Cyanocitta stelleri). He recorded his observations of the fauna on and around the islands in The Beasts of the Sea (De Bestiis Marinis), which was published in 1751. In that work, Steller detailed the dissection by himself and his crewmates of a female…
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…jay that was later named Steller’s jay (Cyanocitta stelleri). He recorded his observations of the fauna on and around the islands in The Beasts of the Sea (De Bestiis Marinis), which was published in 1751. In that work, Steller detailed the dissection by himself and his crewmates of a female…
Read More