Western Bluebird vs Steller’s Jay

Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

How to recognise a western bluebird?

General appearance

The Western Bluebird measures 6-7 inches or 15-18 cm in size, roughly the same as a Sparrow or a Robin. The bird exhibits a color palette of blue, gray, and orange. Its wing shape is rounded and its tail shape has a notched, square tip. Another specific feature is the thicker bill of the Lazuli Bunting.

Male vs female

In terms of coloration, males are a deep purplish-blue on their upper parts and throat, with reddish-brown on their chest and sometimes at the center of their back. Their belly is a distinguishing gray color, different from the blue throat of the Eastern Bluebird. In contrast, female Western Bluebirds are much less colorful. They are duller and grayer than males, possessing a solid gray throat.

Juvenile

Juvenile Western Bluebirds have a notably different appearance from adult bluebirds. Most notably, young birds are dotted or spotted, reflecting their immature development. As they grow, they will gain the adult coloration of their respective genders.

Size

6.5 - 7.5 in/0.8 - 1.1 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The western bluebird primarily inhabits scattered tree areas, open conifer forests, and farms. It breeds in semi-open locations such as pine and oak woods, streamside groves, and ranch country, but avoids hot, dry regions.

Additional range

In winter, it is found in semi-open terrains, brush, deserts, and pinyon-juniper woods. It also occupies varied open or semi-open habitats like farmland.

Range Map

What do western bluebirds like to eat?

Natural diet

The diet of the western bluebird primarily consists of insects and berries. During the summer months, insects are predominant in their diet, including grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, ants, and various other insects. In the winter, the bluebird's diet shifts to include a significant amount of berries and small fruits. Some of the berries they consume are the fruits of mistletoe, juniper, and elderberry.

Bird feeders

Western bluebirds are not frequent visitors to bird feeders. However, they might occasionally be seen at feeders offering mealworms, which mimic their natural diet of insects. They may also be attracted to feeders with fruit offerings, like diced apples or berries, aligning with their fondness for small fruits and berries.

What does a western bluebird sound like?

The vocalizations of the western bluebird are diverse with soft calls resembling 'phew' and 'chuck' sounds. Its song typically emits as a subdued 'cheer, cheer-lee, churr'. The bird’s calls exhibit a falling or flat pattern and are typically perceived as a chirp, chip, or whistle. These distinct sounds represent the unique communication language of the western bluebird.

Song

Audio by Ryan Winkleman

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

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Steller’s Jay

Cyanocitta stelleri

Also known as: Long-Crested Jay, Mountain Jay, Pine Jay

How to recognise a Steller's jay?

General appearance

Steller's jay has a striking appearance with a mix of blue and black plumage. The head, crest, and upper body are a glossy black, while the lower body and wings feature vibrant blue tones. Its distinct, pointed crest and sharp, straight bill further accentuate its appearance. In flight, their broad wings and long tail are clearly visible, adding to their distinctive look. They have white or light blue streaks on their cheek patches.

Male vs female

Steller's jay males and females are similar in coloration and size, making it challenging to distinguish them visually. Both sexes have the same bold black and blue coloration, slightly accentuated by environmental factors and lighting. Any noted differences are subtle, as the plumage color intensity is generally consistent between genders.

Juvenile

Juvenile Steller's jays resemble adults but have duller plumage. Their black crests and head are less distinct, and their overall body coloration is paler, with less vibrant blue. Juveniles often lack the defined facial streaks until they mature. As they grow, their plumage becomes richer and more aligned with adult characteristics.

Size

11.8 - 13.4 in/3.5 - 4.9 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Steller’s jay primarily dwells in the mountains and along the northern coast in pine, spruce, and fir forests, and in pine-oak forests.

Additional range

Besides its main habitats, this bird can locally inhabit riverside oak groves and other deciduous trees, and when not nesting, it ranges into other woodland types, orchards, and well-wooded suburbs.

Range Map

What do Steller’s jays like to eat?

Natural diet

Steller's jays are omnivorous, with a diet composed of about two-thirds vegetable matter and one-third animal matter. They heavily feed on pine seeds, acorns, and other nuts and seeds, particularly during fall and winter. The jays also consume a variety of berries and wild fruits, and at times, cultivated fruit. During the summer months, their diet includes many insects such as beetles, wasps, and wild bees. Other food sources include spiders, birds' eggs, and occasionally, small rodents or lizards.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, Steller's jays often consume various seeds and nuts provided, as these mimic their natural diet. They may be seen eating sunflower seeds, peanuts, and other common offerings at feeders. The jays' adaptability allows them to take advantage of these readily available food sources.

What does a Steller's jay sound like?

The Steller's Jay vocalizes with a harsh shack-shack or chook-chook call, indicating its presence. Its diverse call types include buzzes, chirps, rattles, raucous tones, screams, and whistles, often imitating the screams of hawks. Its call patterns are generally falling and flat. These vocalizations are critical to communication within its species.

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

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Western Bluebird

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Steller’s Jay

Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

General appearance

The Western Bluebird measures 6-7 inches or 15-18 cm in size, roughly the same as a Sparrow or a Robin. The bird exhibits a color palette of blue, gray, and orange. Its wing shape is rounded and its tail shape has a notched, square tip. Another specific feature is the thicker bill of the Lazuli Bunting.

Male vs female

In terms of coloration, males are a deep purplish-blue on their upper parts and throat, with reddish-brown on their chest and sometimes at the center of their back. Their belly is a distinguishing gray color, different from the blue throat of the Eastern Bluebird. In contrast, female Western Bluebirds are much less colorful. They are duller and grayer than males, possessing a solid gray throat.

Juvenile

Juvenile Western Bluebirds have a notably different appearance from adult bluebirds. Most notably, young birds are dotted or spotted, reflecting their immature development. As they grow, they will gain the adult coloration of their respective genders.

Size

6.5 - 7.5 in/0.8 - 1.1 oz

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Steller’s Jay

Cyanocitta stelleri

Also known as: Long-Crested Jay, Mountain Jay, Pine Jay

General appearance

Steller's jay has a striking appearance with a mix of blue and black plumage. The head, crest, and upper body are a glossy black, while the lower body and wings feature vibrant blue tones. Its distinct, pointed crest and sharp, straight bill further accentuate its appearance. In flight, their broad wings and long tail are clearly visible, adding to their distinctive look. They have white or light blue streaks on their cheek patches.

Male vs female

Steller's jay males and females are similar in coloration and size, making it challenging to distinguish them visually. Both sexes have the same bold black and blue coloration, slightly accentuated by environmental factors and lighting. Any noted differences are subtle, as the plumage color intensity is generally consistent between genders.

Juvenile

Juvenile Steller's jays resemble adults but have duller plumage. Their black crests and head are less distinct, and their overall body coloration is paler, with less vibrant blue. Juveniles often lack the defined facial streaks until they mature. As they grow, their plumage becomes richer and more aligned with adult characteristics.

Size

11.8 - 13.4 in/3.5 - 4.9 oz

There's more to learn about Steller’s Jay

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How to tell the Western Bluebird from the Steller’s Jay

Visual differences

The Western Bluebird (6-7 inches, 1 oz) is smaller than the Steller's Jay (11.8-13.4 inches, 3.5-4.9 oz). Western Bluebirds have a mix of blue, gray, and orange plumage with a rounded wing and notched tail. Males are deep purplish-blue with a reddish chest. Steller’s Jays are striking with glossy black heads and crests, vibrant blue lower bodies, broad wings, long tails, and sharp straight bills. Females of both species exhibit similar patterns to males, although juvenile plumage is duller in Steller's Jays.

Key differences and behavior

Western Bluebirds and Steller's Jays exhibit distinct behaviors. Bluebirds prefer open areas like farms or forests, avoiding dry regions, whereas Steller's Jays thrive in rich forests. Bluebirds are less social, while Jays are vocal and social, often traveling in groups. In diet, Bluebirds focus on insects and berries, especially in summer, while Jays are omnivorous, consuming seeds, nuts, insects, and eggs, indulging at bird feeders. Bluebirds favor cavity nesting; Jays build nests on trees, often coniferous, at varied heights. Both species involve males in courtship feeding, but Jays are more territorial and aggressive when nesting.