Subject: Predatory Steller's Jay
Date: Dec 1 10:26:50 2001
From: Doug Hudson - dhudson at silverlink.net


Moments ago I watched a Steller's Jay enter my breezeway and attack a Pine
Siskin which it killed and consumed. I have oil and thistle seed feeders
just off my breezeway. The structure is such that birds often enter the
breezeway and it is not uncommon for a bird to be momentarily trapped by
some nearby windows. They usually make their way around the windows and
escape in a few seconds. While watching the Army/Navy game (go Navy) I
noted a Siskin was effectively trapped inside the windows. Almost
immediately a Steller's Jay entered the breezeway and went directly to the
Siskin which it pounced upon. The Jay delivered a few blows with its beak
then clutched the subdued Siskin and flew into my yard. It landed a few
feet away and, holding the limp Siskin to the ground, proceeded to remove
feathers then peck at the body. I watched all this with binos and could see
bloody flesh in the beak of the Jay. After a few bites, the Jay took the
remains to a brushy area about 30 feet away. A few seconds later it
reappeared without the body. I assume the remains were stashed for future
consumption. The Jay then flew directly to the tree next to the feeders
where it hopped around and appeared very agitated. After a couple minutes
it flew away.

I have been feeding birds at these feeders for several years and frequently
observe birds scatter when larger birds, including Jays, fly to the
immediate area of the feeders. In the case of the Jays, as opposed to
Merlins or Sharpies, the smaller birds usually return while the Jay is still
at the feeders. I've never observed uneasiness on the part of the smaller
birds when Jays are already in the area.

Was the Siskin a target of opportunity or do Jays often play the roll of
predator?

Doug Hudson
Bremerton, WA
dhudson at silverlink.net