[Length 11.5 in. Wingspan 19 in.]

The Steller's Jay is the common western counterpart of the eastern Blue Jay. It's vibrant blue back, tail, and underparts contrast with its dark gray shoulders, black head, and jaunty black crest. The raspy "SHAACK SHAACK" calls of Steller's Jays often announce their presence long before they are seen. They occur throughout foothills, mountains, and coniferous forests in the western US, southwestern Canada, and along the extreme southern Alaskan coast. In winter they withdraw from the higher elevations of their range. This one was photographed at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm ED f4.5 lens on Kodachrome 64 film. (Date: July 1980)

[Length 11.5 in. Wingspan 19 in.]

This Steller's Jay was photographed at the mountaintop restaurant, Sandia Crest, New Mexico, USA. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF-S VR f2.8 lens (EFL=450mm) on a Nikon D200 camera. (Date: March 3, 2008)

[Length 11.5 in. Wingspan 19 in.]

This immature Steller's Jay was photographed at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA. Photo taken with a AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED lens on a Nikon D7100 camera. (Date: June 23, 2016)

[Length 23-30 in. Wingspan ?? in.]

This Black-throated Magpie-Jay (presumed escape) was photographed at Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Texas. Photo taken with a Canon EOS 10D camera (lens unknown). (Date: January 17, 2009)

[Length 23-30 in. Wingspan ?? in.]

This Black-throated Magpie-Jay (presumed escape) was photographed at Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Texas. Photo taken with a Canon EOS 10D camera (lens unknown). (Date: January 17, 2009)

[Length 11.5 in. Wingspan 15.5 in.]

This California Scrub-Jay was photographed at a private ranch, Buellton, California, USA. Photo taken with a AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED lens on a Nikon D7100 camera. (Date: June 29, 2013)

[Length 11.5 in. Wingspan 15.5 in.]

This California Scrub-Jay was photographed in a coastal woodland near Morro Bay, California, USA. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF f4.0 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: November 1997)

[Length 11.5 in. Wingspan 15.5 in.]

This California Scrub-Jay was photographed at Monterey, California, USA. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm ED f4.5 lens on Kodachrome 64 film. (Date: November 1981)