Sometimes I'm not sure if it's the Jays who are watching or the cats. But they all seem to be eyeing each other with relative respect. The jays scold so loudly. Cats watch quizzically.
Steller Jays have a lazy swoop to their wings. Sometimes smacking each other as they pass by,on their search for the perfect peanut. Competing with other family members.
Being Omnivores, the jays will eat anything. They are never hard up. But they DO like peanuts.
And will stuff themselves silly. And often. And all day. When the seeds and peanuts give out, jays will sometimes fly by and squawk. You can stand a few feet away, and see them come so close.
Cats watch from the fence. Smokey seems to think that if he gets up high he can catch one. So far, he's not come close. And the Jays shriek at him joyously.
Flickers seem to think the Jays are onto a good thing. They come to steal seeds and peanuts as well. As often as the Jays will let them.
Steller Jays ( and yes, I found out that they are spelled STELLER...often mispelled) were first discovered in Alaska in 1741 by Georg Steller, a naturalist on a Russian explorer ship.
In 1788 the jays were named after him, along with other creatures like the Steller Sea Lion and Steller Sea Eagle.
The Steller and Blue Jays are the only North American jays that use mud to fashion their nests. Smart birds.
Spencer, of course, is much too tired to chase after Jays.
And Cordelia prowls along the fence. Watching. They scream at her as she passes.
Steller Jays steal nests. Probably a lot easier than making their own.
Incredible mimics, they can imitate other birds, even CATS, dogs and chickens.
Foraging like crazy. They eat almost anything. Insects. Seeds. Berries. Nuts. Small animals. Eggs. Baby birds. They are survivors.
And peanuts. They will regularly steal from each other. Wings smack and beaks jab till peanuts fall into the waiting claws of another jay.
Stuffing as many peanuts as they can carry.; peanuts are saved for winter. I've seen one jay swallow three large peanuts into its gullet, before zooming away to squirrel away its treasure.
I even recognize some of these jays from previous years. The phrase "tough old birds" , comes to mind.
Meanwhile, Spencer just lolls about on the porch in his chair , that will remain outside for him , under the covered porch, all winter long. He can watch the birds.
This is the Patriarch of the dozen or so jays that come by every day. Last year I noticed he seemed to have some sort of infection under his beak. But this year , he seems to be healed. And as cheeky as ever. The other jays seem to show great deference when he is around.
Steller Jays are like cats. They size you up. Only cats don't howl like banshees when you forget to put out peanuts. They resort to purring and rolling on the ground. While the jays swish and swoosh overhead. Fearlessly getting your attention. They remember. They have spatial memories and most likely tag you as something of great interest. Maybe even including you in their group. Just don't forget the peanuts.....................
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