Living as we do in a conifer forest in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, one of the common avian visitors to our property is the Steller’s Jay, Cyanocitta stelleri. For years I have made the assumption that most of these beautiful dark blue and black jays are of one particular subspecies – Cyanocitta stelleri stelleri.
As pictured above, C. stelleri stelleri lacks any white markings around the eye and the vertical forehead streaks are light blue. The black mantle extends down the nape and onto the back but the secondaries are clearly blue and the overall perceived color of the bird is blue. However in recent days, an individual Steller’s Jay has been noted which is much darker than those usually seen.
This particular Steller’s Jay is notable for the immediate perception of black rather than blue. Sadly, my observations of it were initially fleeting – that is until I downloaded the SD card from my BirdCam last evening. Now I am convinced that this bird is not of the same subspecies as those commonly seen in the area. The question is which subspecies is it?
As can be seen, the black mantle extends far down the back and even seemingly on to the secondaries. There is no trace of white or even gray anywhere on the bird’s face or neck.
What’s more, the vertical forehead streaks are dark blue rather than the light blue of the commonly seen individuals.
Looking through the descriptions of the various Steller’s Jay subspecies, I have been pondering if this recently observed bird is of either of the frontalis or carlottae (I realize that the latter is reported to be limited to the Queen Charlotte Islands, but given what I see I have to wonder…) subspecies. I would be most interested if anyone particularly familiar with either of these subspecies would care to offer an opinion.
Peace and good bird watching.
