Steller Jay the Predator

[mac]

Hi FV Birders

We get Steller Jays regularly in our backyard where they do their usual take over of the feeders but last year we witnessed one fly from the feeder and take a Pine Siskin (which had just been drinking at the fountain) in mid flight then proceed to kill it and devour it on the spot.

I can find no mention of this behaviour in any of the literature but I can't believe this was an isolated incident. The Jay attacked just as a hawk would except he caught the Siskin in his beak rather than with his feet and looked as though he was very proficient at this type of thing!

[deb&tony]

Hi Mac-
Nice to see another Birder from Hope on the forum.
Regarding your observation, a few years ago I saw a documentary that was filmed in a park in Ontario where Canada Jays were caught on film capturing and eating hummingbirds. This was possible because of a sudden drop in temperature in the area and the hummers had entered torpor to conserve energy.
Stellar Jays can be quite the predators around here as well, constantly harrassing birds during nesting season, especially robins- either stealing their eggs and/or the nestlings.
Interesting observation you made.

[mac]

Hi Deb

Thanks for the information re the Gray Jay. Interesting that even Pete Dunne's Essential Field Guide Companion doesn't mention this sort of behaviour. Although the fact that it can take insects on the wing would indicate that it is no slouch when it comes to aerial maneouvers! How did the Jay take the hummers? At a feeder while they were hovering or what?

Regards

[deb&tony]

Sorry, I just remember that the film was shot in a natural setting and now that I think of it, the jay may very well have been a Blue Jay.

Another observation my husband just reminded me of was at Manning Park- at the outlet of Lightning Lake where we saw a group of Canada Jays feasting on rainbow trout fry that were trapped in a small, evaporating pool of water. I guess Jays in general are opportunistic and omnivorous.

[Gord]

Mac

Sad for the sisken, but from a behaviour standpoint, great observation! Ive always noticed that the small birds at the feeder give the jays plenty of room. I can see why now!

I always knew jays would eat meat (they're similar to crows) because when I was young I caught a mouse in our house in a mousetrap and put it out near the feeders thinking the small hawk might eat it. I had barely gone back into the house when a Steller's jay flew down and ate it!

Geeze, those grey jays look so gentle!