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The ordinary range of Steller's jays includes much of eastern Washington where you live. They are permanent residents that generally forage in groups, seeking acorns, pine seeds, wild and cultivated fruit, a variety of insects and frequently the eggs of small birds in spring. Found from the lowlands up to 11,000 feet elevation, flocks of Steller's jays often band together in noisy congregations, feeding both on the ground and in the treetops.

In winter, the flocks tend to range far and wide, and many of the birds that ordinarily live in the mountains descend to lower elevations where food may be more plentiful. During the colder months these beautiful black and blue jays frequently appear at backyard feeders, where they dine on local fare. They also have been known to raid the acorn caches of acorn woodpeckers, finding them easy pickings if the woodpeckers don't put up too much of a fuss.

Steller's jays, like their close corvid cousins, the scrub jays, have a few different plumage variations. Steller's jays that live in the interior of the American west are the lightest in color of the group, paler blue and gray, with white forehead streaks and eye rings. Those of the Pacific coast are somewhat darker and have pale blue forehead streaks and eye rings. A completely separate population lives on the Queen Charlotte Islands of British Columbia and is very dark overall, with its head and upperparts almost black and little facial marking. Perhaps, like the island scrub jay, this subspecies may one day obtain full species status.

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