[Tweeters] California scrub jay - Wikipedia

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We had both Steller’s and CA Scrub Jays when we lived in Eugene, OR.  We were in far south Eugene, near Spencer Butte.  If anything, the Steller’s bossed the Scrub Jays, but really, they seemed to co-exist and stick to their own turf.  I enjoyed both species.  

 

Lori Markoff

Citrus Heights, CA

 

From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces at mailman11.u.washington.edu> On Behalf Of Steve Loitz via Tweeters
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 8:01 AM
To: Ann Kramer <lens4birds at gmail.com>
Cc: TWEETERS tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] California scrub jay - Wikipedia

 

Ann, I have not seen any evidence that CASJs are pushing out STJAs in and around Ellensburg. There is little overlap of their respective habitats. Our CASJs are mostly in riparian zones and residential landscaped areas. STJAs tend to stick to areas with confiers. We have seen them on the same property, but no obvious antagonism. 

 

OTOH, CASJs may well be competition with Black-billed Magpies in some places in our areas. I have some bickering between those two species. 

 

YMMV on the Wet Side of the Cascades, of course.

 

Steve Loitz

Ellensburg

 

On Mon, Oct 27, 2025 at 9:03 PM Ann Kramer <lens4birds at gmail.com <mailto:lens4birds at gmail.com> > wrote:

I will be sad if the Steller's Jay's are pushed out of our area.  We are heavily forested with NGPA forests around, and I've only seen one Scrub Jay over the years.  The Stellar's come to the suet as a family unit, and they are the only brave enough to harass a Cooper's or Sharp-Shinned Hawk far from the busy feeders we have.  They are amazing to watch, as they work as a team to chase the Hawks and then quickly fly away, squawking, as it turns on them.  Such a lot of moxie!!!

 

Ann

 

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