At Wenas Creek a few years ago, I heard (and saw) a Steller's Jay from
canopy level mimic the cry of a Red-tailed Hawk. Then it made a dive on a
small bird on the forest floor that got away.

Marv Breece
Seattle, WA

----- Original Message -----
From: Doug Hudson <dhudson at silverlink.net>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: December 01, 2001 10:26 AM
Subject: Predatory Steller's Jay


> 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
>