Oklahoma Vagrants: Steller's Jay

A common jay in thick coniferous forest and mature woods of the West, Steller's Jay might also be observed in oak woods and other adjacent wood.  They will also be plentiful in campgrounds, back yards, and parks.  Small groups of these omnivores often feed together upon insects, seeds and fruit,  they can even entertain at bird feeders for black oil and striped sunflower seeds, and are excellent for removing picnic food.  Their attraction is to whole raw peanuts, and they will also accept the shelled variety.  Cracked corn is also favored, and suet will be accepted in the winter months.  They also eat their share of protein, including lizards, eggs, nestlings, snakes, and rodentia.

The long dark crest, dark blue and black upper body, and lacking white on the wings will be a good indication that you're visiting with the mountain jay.  Social with humans at picnic areas and camp sites, they will compete with the Gray Jay in its range.

First located on the Oklahoma Panhandle in 1970, it appears more often today, but is still yet to arrive in any recent numbers.  Seen only in Cimarron County, mostly in winter, it has arrived more often in 2017 and 2018 than it did in the past.  It came to the Benton Ranch in spring of  2018, which is as far east as it has been.

                                                                      Steller's Jay
                                                              Pima County, AZ 2018

Bold, relentless, and aggressive, the Blue Jay has been overlapping the long-crested jay's territory, which is no longer the only crested jay found west of the Rockies.  For those of us acquainted with the Blue Jay in our region, the pine jay varies in its own regional locations. Both Steller's and Blue Jays interbreed to hybridize where ranges overlap.  It has been argued that their distinction as a species is a moot point.

Black-brown headed birds of the north become bluer headed as one travels south.  Eastern birds on the Great Divide have white marks over the eyes (Interior West subspecies).  The far west birds have little white on the head or none at all (Pacific subspecies).

This handsome corvid was named after German naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller, who was the first European to record them in 1741.  It is also a known mimic, like any other member of the corvidae, and enjoys victimizing small songbirds with this talent with its raptor impersonations, as well as other beings and objects.

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Gray Catbird

This video on assorted avian mimicked voices was a remarkable rendition by a California Gray Catbird.  Never have I heard such accomplished material, for this is what I would expect from an older bird that has seen many breeding seasons.  A bird like this could easily have his choice of mates, for a female would easily realize how special he really is for the valuable syrinx that he has.

A uniform gray bird with a black cap, long black tail and rufous undertail coverts, this is a gorgeous and remarkable bird once it opens its mouth.

Common to uncommon in brushy thickets in woods, along forest edges, parks, often in damp shaded areas, as well as generally solitary.  However, the exception is when the male sings from an exposed perch to attract a female or protect his territory.  This species forages at ground level for berries, insects, and other invertebrates.

                                                                 Gray Catbird
                                                        South Padre Island, TX 2015

Mimic thrushes like this are talented, as well as natural mimics, and one of ten in the Mimidae family.  The harsh mew of this bird is especially diagnostic in the field, especially if heard near the ground.  Females also sing, though rarely, and not nearly at as much of a volume.  Catbirds, like Northern Mockingbirds, often sing at night.

Rather tame, it will respond readily to pishing calls and will come quite near.

Catbirds are late spring migrants, arriving on breeding grounds from May to June, and fall migration is between late August and September.  Birds residing on the coast sometimes choose not to migrate.

The Brown-headed Cowbird parasitizes this species, but may not in Oklahoma.  In other locations, the female simply ejects cowbird eggs.  The territoriality of the Grey Catbird is restricted to the area of the nest site.  The female does most of the nest building, though the male will provide the supplies.  He will even actually point out possible sites by sitting on branches and moving twigs about as though constructing a nest.  Incubation is solely by the female.  The male doesn't feed her very much during this time.  The species is known to double brood.