I'm not sure on the etiquette of this but thank you to all who responded via
email about my tailless Steller's jay. The consensus is a) that plenty of birds
out there lose all their tails some times, b) that the tail feathers will likely
grow back in a month or two, and c) that a house cat may be wanted for
questioning. Given the number of hawks in the neighborhood, I'm thinking that it
could equally be the work of a hawk though maybe a bird of prey would be more
efficient in going for the kill. Regardless, I feel reassured--and impressed by
the level of knowledge in the Tweeters community.

Thanks,
Mary
maryjmetzatyahoodotcom
West Seattle