“Which jay was that?”
If you’ve ever found yourself asking this question as a lover of birds after spotting a blue-colored bird with a crest, I’m here to tell you that you’re not alone.
What you must have seen was either a blue jay or a steller’s jay, both of which are extremely similar with a few differences that only those who are keenly interested in the subject can spot off-hand.
This article is for you and those like you—casual bird lovers. It is the ultimate guide to differentiating both birds: the blue jay vs. Steller’s jay!
Blue Jay VS Steller Jay
Below, you will discover what makes these two similar-looking birds different.
Body & Size
All jays are bluebirds, so you’d be forgiven for thinking that these two are the same or the other. Here are a few differences in how they look.
Coloration
Blue jays have primarily white and blue plumage. As you look around a blue jay’s body, you’ll notice different shades of blue, from dark to light. Steller’s jays are charcoal black and blue, and just like their cousins, their blue plumage shades change on different parts of their bodies.
Size
The blue jay measures 22–30 cm (9–12 in) from bill to tail and weighs 70–100 g (2.5–3.5 oz). Its wingspan is 34–43 cm (13–17 in). A steller’s jay is about 30–34 cm (12–13 in) long and weighs about 100–140 g (3.5–4.9 oz). This shows you that the steller’s jay is bigger. The steller’s jay also has a more slender bill and longer legs than the blue jay.
Calling
Jay calls are pretty shriekish whether they’re being soft or their usual loud selves. When you realize that they’re cousins with the crow, then you’ll understand why their calls rub you the wrong way.
Differentiate between the calls of a steller’s jay and a blue jay by listening for the sounds described below:
Steller’s jay
Basic calls: A harsh “SHACK-Sheck-sheck-sheck-sheck-sheck” series; another “skreeka! skreeka!”, a soft, breathy “hoodle hoodle” whistle.
Alarm calls: A harsh, nasal “wah”.
Sex-specific calls: Males produce a high-pitched “gleep gleep” sound, while females produce a rattling sound.
Blue jay
Basic calls: A soft “toolool” sound that has an almost bell-like quality.
Alarm calls: A loud, almost gull-like scream. There is also a high-pitched “jaaay jaaay” call that increases in speed as the bird becomes more agitated.
Both birds can also be taught to mimic different sounds, with blue jays being talented enough to even mimic humans!
Nesting
Where the blue jay habitat stops is where the steller jay begins. Both birds occur in the eastern parts of North America, covering Canada and the USA. Because of how close both birds’ habitats are, they tend to overlap, causing you to question which bird you saw that led you to this article.
Both birds prefer nesting in coniferous and coniferous-deciduous trees and are the only jays to use mud in building their nests. These are the only similarities between their nesting habits. The differences are described below.
Steller’s jay: Rocky and mountainous areas with forests are their preferred home bases. They also reside and nest in areas used for agricultural purposes. They’re quiet and secretive while choosing their nests.
Blue jay: They are not as picky as steller’s jays when it’s time to nest. They can nest on trees or in large bushes and even empty mailboxes. They even appropriate the nests of other songbirds like the American robin.
Food
They are both omnivorous and have very similar diet preferences. Both their diets are largely plant-based, with an estimated two-thirds of what they eat being seeds, fruits, berries and the like.
Blue jays particularly enjoy eating peanuts with the shells, while steller’s jays are partial to acorns, especially during winter.
Steller’s jay stores food for the winter, unlike blue jays, which are more confident in their ability to find food all year round. The blue jay also stores food, though mainly for feeding its brood.
Their biggest source of feeding, especially in the summer, is bird feeders. Bird lovers set these out with suet, sunflower seeds, and other things that both birds enjoy eating. They are threatened by other birds larger than they are, however, which is why bird lovers have to be particular about helping them find food.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the differences between these two birds.
Here’s a little more education for you: In folklore, blue jays are credited with introducing earth (mud, etc.) to the planet. It’s believed that they brought the first mud, stones, and grit to create land from the water that covered the earth.
Also, Mordecai, the popular character from the adult cartoon, The Regular Show, is a blue jay.
Steller’s jays are the provincial bird of British Columbia in Canada, which gives them protected status there. You’d best be treating them with care whenever you’re in British Columbia!
