Cyanocitta stelleri
Range
They are found west of the Rocky Mountains from Southern Alaska south to Texas and into Central America.
Habitat
They live in conifer forests or mixed forest with some oak and other trees and around homes, parks, campgrounds and orchards.
Body Traits
Males and females look alike. They have a black head with a pointed, dark head crest. The shoulders and chest are also black, but the belly, sides, wings and tail is bright blue. The wings and tail also have dark stripes. They have light stripes on the forehead and a white eyebrow.
Habits
Like many jays they hold their food steady in one foot and peck at it. They are bold and curious birds.
Diet
They eat nuts, seeds, fruit and insects.
Reproduction
Females lay up to 6 blue-green eggs with brown spotting in a nest of twigs and leaves.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vetebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Cyanocitta
Species: C. stelleri