![]() NPS/T. Miller Steller's jays pair bond and rarely change mates unless they lose a partner. Once bonded the pair will rarely be seen apart. The pair chooses a nesting site and builds their nest together. While Steller's jays are normally quite vocal, once a clutch of 4-5 eggs is laid in late May of early June, females become nearly silent when guarding their nest. The eggs will incubate for 16-18 days. The parents will feed the fledglings for about a month before leaving them to fend for themselves. Steller's jay can be found in pinyon-juniper, ponderosa, and oak woodlands across the monument. The birds frequently interact with other species of jays but most often associate with other Steller's jays. Their broad rounded wings assist them in swooping to their food. Some Steller's jays will sample food before snatching it up and carrying it off to eat. This risky behavior puts them at higher risk of predation as every second spent enjoying a morsel outside of cover leaves them vulnerable. |
Last updated: December 3, 2019