Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)

A male Steller's Jay exhibits his remarkably beautiful glossy blue feathers.

Facts: The Steller’s Jay is a common and conspicuous denizen of the West. Its range largely coincides with the coniferous forests of the West. Like other jays, the Steller's Jay consumes a wide variety of foods, including small vertebrates and arthropods, seeds, berries, nuts, and especially acorns and pine seeds when available. They commonly take the eggs and nestlings of small birds, and they have even been observed attacking and eating adult birds. In turn, Steller’s Jays are heavily preyed upon by accipters.