Advertisement
Categories: Nature

Steller’s jay means cold weather in California

At Flea Market Gardening, we love birds! In our albums we have collected, there are many photos of the ones in our backyards, from humble sparrows to brilliant cardinals.  And what better time than Winter for watching them? We also have an album dedicated to birdhouses and feeders for your enjoyment!

This first in a series, is on Steller’s Jay, an interesting bird from California.

It’s a sign

Cold weather is here. Steller’s jay, Cyanocitta stelleri, with its black head and upper body is one of only two species in the genus Cyanocitta, the other species being the Blue Jay, Cyanocitta cristata, found throughout the Central and Eastern United States. We only see these stunning birds when it’s very cold here in the foothills of Central California.

 

Steller’s jay

Our Western scrub jays, one is below, Aphelocoma californica, are much different with their crestless heads and grey underbodies. Their home is our oak woodlands and also chaparral near the Western coast as well as suburban backyards all over the Western United States.

Scrub jay ‘stealing’ a peanut which he’ll bury for later!

Steller’s Jays

Advertisement
were discovered on an Alaskan island in 1741 by Georg Steller, a naturalist on a Russian explorer’s ship. Forty years later they were named after him along with his other discoveries including the Steller’s sea lion and Steller’s Sea-Eagle.

Their range is from British Columbia in North America to Nicaragua in Central America and they are usually found in higher altitude pine forests. In autumn, flocks often visit oak woodlands when acorns are ripe.

Here near Yosemite, they live close to the campgrounds there and know that there are bird feeders there and picnic crumbs. Here at 3000 ft in the foothills, we only see them in the late fall and winter as the Black oaks turn gold or when it is very cold or snowy in the high country. Plenty of acorns this year.

 

What birds do you particularly like to watch in your backyard?

Sue Langley

Sue Langley, a passionate gardener and photographer lives and gardens with her husband and Corgi, Maggie on 7 acres just south of Yosemite, Zone 7 at 3000 feet. She manages the Flea Market Gardening Facebook page and website.

View Comments

  • biobabbler says:

    Well color me dense. I LOVE Steller's jays, and we, too, have them (of course, since we're not far from you, and at about 3500 feet), but I'd not noticed WHEN we see them. Thanks for the heads up.

    I kinda doubt this counts as a bird I particularly like to watch in my backyard, as I see them so seldom, but cedar waxwings make me SWOON. MAN they are beautiful. I also love hermit thrushes. Such sweet, big eyes, and I love that speckled chest. Thanks for the birdy-clue. =) xo

    • Sue Langley says:

      Hi biobabbler, I love cedar waxwings too and remember them swooping around marshy areas along roadsides when traveling. These handsome fellas are rare but welcome at the birdbath,...they wonder what's wrong, though,...the water there is often frozen when they come!

  • Jeanne Sammons says:

    Beautiful 'Steller's Jay' photos! ...I've never seen one!! We have lots of Bluejays that feed here in IA in the Winter, too! Such fun to watch them from the cozy warmth inside to the Winter Wonderland outside! My hubby keeps the feeders filled & we get several species: Cardinal (a fave); Woodpeckers ...both Downy & Red-breasted; & the 'dainty' Chickadee; pretty gray Junco bird; Purple Finch; & several types of Sparrows...& I'm sure I'm missing a few species, too. Anyway, very beautiful! TFS your world, Sue Langley!

  • Marie Niemann says:

    Our first Steller showed up this morning and yes it's cold here! We don't see them every year, but usually late Dec and early Jan they come for a brief visit. They are so beautiful! We love them!

Recent Posts

Boat gardens sail away…with our hearts

Grow, Grow, Grow, Your Boat... These boat gardens are beautiful, colorful, and well grown.  It looks like a lot of… Read More

4 years ago

Decorate your garden with blue!

'Paint' Your Garden with Blue... Is your garden is singing the blues? Mix recycled containers and crafts with blue flowers… Read More

4 years ago

Lost and Found in the Garden

See this hilarious and sometimes poignant list of lost items in the garden Question.......what was the last thing you lost… Read More

4 years ago

Jeanne’s garden Baker’s rack

Designing a charming garden baker's rack When I first saw Jeanne’s well-arranged and simply delightful Baker’s rack, I thought, ‘Somebody… Read More

4 years ago

Billie’s Yellows in the garden

Choosing a color from 'Over the Rainbow Garden' Billie Hayman's garden is full of color and she shows how one… Read More

5 years ago

Alliums in the garden, real & crafty!

Alliums are drama queens in the garden! Whether real flowers, grown from bulbs or the crafted faux flowers modeled after… Read More

5 years ago
Advertisement