How to Attract Steller's Jays
Steller's jays are dark blue with a black head and a tall black crest. They live in western mountain and evergreen forests and are bold visitors to yards, picnic tables, and campgrounds.
What Steller's jays eat
Peanuts, black-oil sunflower, and suet are favorites. A sturdy platform or hopper feeder suits these big jays.
If you only buy one seed, make it black-oil sunflower. It's high in fat, has a thin shell small birds can open, and nearly every seed-eating bird loves it.
Check price on Amazon for Wagner's Black Oil Sunflower Seed (opens Amazon)An open tray feeder that welcomes the widest range of birds, including cardinals, doves, jays, and juncos that prefer to feed in the open.
Check price on Amazon for Woodlink 3-in-1 Platform Feeder (opens Amazon)Suet in winter
In cold mountain winters, suet gives Steller's jays the energy they need.
High-fat suet cakes that fit standard suet cages. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees rely on fat like this to get through cold nights.
Check price on Amazon for C&S High Energy Suet Cakes (12-pack) (opens Amazon)Evergreens matter
Steller's jays nest and shelter in conifers. Yards near pine, fir, or spruce trees are the most likely to get regular visits.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Steller's jays live?
In evergreen forests across the West, from Alaska to Central America, and down to the coast in the Pacific Northwest.
Can Steller's jays mimic other birds?
Yes. They often imitate hawk calls, especially the red-tailed hawk.
Are Steller's jays the same as blue jays?
No, but they're close relatives. Steller's jays are darker, with black heads, and live in the West.
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