As of the end of the day, 10/15/2004, the number of Blue Jays that have been
reported from sites in and throughout the state of Idaho equal 89 (up from
45 on 10/9). (These are reports that have been posted to any of the three
list serv services in Idaho: IBLE, SWIBA, Inland-NW-Birders, or that have
been reported to me directly or through a third party. Every effort has
been made to discount possible duplicate sightings.) Currently these
observations come from 53 (up from 25 on 10/9) different locations in all
areas of the state and a variety of habitat. This is the largest movement
of this species into the state since at least the 1970's, if not before.

As to subspecies identification: All pictures that have been clear enough
for noting necessary id points point to the northern race, Cyanocitta
cristata bromia, which breeds from central Alberta and just into
north-central British Columbia, through northeast Nebraska to Newfoundland,
and down into south-central Virginia. One reported bird that I am aware of
was still in its juvenile plumage (usually shed by the beginning of
September), which is much grayer and more unlike the C.c. bromia adult, in
some respects very similar to C. c. cynotephia, which breeds and winters
from southeast Wyoming through New Mexico, to Nebraska through south Texas.
Thus far I have not received a description, photo, or video of a bird that
could safely be ascribed to C. c. cynotephia. (See salient ipoints for
subspecies identification on IdahoBirds.net.)

Blue Jay is also occurring in western Montana, Oregon, Washington, and
British Columbia, but we have little to nothing from from western Wyoming,
Nevada and Utah, which are places we would expect to hear from if these
birds were C. c. cynotephia, although a continued southward movement of C.
c. bromia would not be illogical.

[This post, along with the previous discussion and any subsequent additions
re: Blue Jays, will be found on the new web site for the state,
www.IdahoBirds.net ]

PLEASE continue to post, or send directly to me at hkrueger at cableone.net ,
any and all occurrences and/or photos of Blue Jay in Idaho. Additional
information from adjoining states is very welcome. Thanks!]

Harry Krueger
Boise, ID
208-407-2786
hkrueger at cableone.net