LOCAL ANIMAL — STELLER’S JAY
The Steller’s jay, a bird often seen and heard in the coniferous forests of the Sea to Sky Corridor, has been described as both “aggressive” and “gregarious.” As you’re out enjoying a socially distanced lunch on the lower slopes of the mountains, or during a break from cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, you’re about as likely to do so under the watchful eye of a
Steller’s jay as you are of their cousin the grey jay (or whiskey jack). Guard your lunch carefully, as either of the two won’t hesitate to swoop in for a nibble if given the chance.
The Steller’s jay, the provincial bird of British Columbia, is named for German-born Russian explorer
Georg Wilhelm Steller (hence, the first word is capitalized), who first described the birds during a visit to Cordova, Alaska, in 1741, according to natureconservancy.ca.
Larger than a robin but smaller than a crow, Steller’s jays are closely related to crows — along with ravens, rooks, magpies and other jays. Their crested heads are jet black, but unlike crows, their bodies are a distinctive, brilliant shade of blue.
Like crows, they are known for being “bold, inquisitive, intelligent and noisy,” according to (allaboutbirds.org). In a 2004 article in National Geographic, researchers suggested that crows’ and jays’ “cognitive abilities are a match for primates such as chimpanzees and gorillas.” As such, they have been known to use tools such as twigs to get at insects and other prey, the article stated.