The Steller’s Jay (Cyancitta stelleri)
… is the western counterpart to the widespread eastern Blue Jay. These two species are our only jay species with crests, and also fill similar niches; both are generalists in diet and adaptable in habitat, living in both forests and tree filled residential areas, foraging on nuts and seeds, insects, eggs, and even small vertebrates.
They are intelligent birds and talented mimics, often imitating Red-tailed or Red-shouldered Hawks to clear out feeders for themselves.
Steller’s Jays show some variation in color and markings across their range, with different populations showing blacker (northern) or bluer (Mexican) heads, white (interior) or blue (coastal) forehead marks, or present or absent short white eyebrows. Where Steller’s and Blue Jay ranges overlap the two species may hybridize.
photo by Eugene Beckes (corvidaceous) on Flickr
(via: Peterson Field Guides)