Steller's Jays - Sexual Sidling and Courtship-Circling

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Pam and Randy Comeleo

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Apr 23, 2021, 5:19:28 PM4/23/21

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We watched a pair of Steller’s Jays doing this in our driveway this morning. Very cool! -Pam

Sexual Behavior

Pair Bond

In California, pair remains together on the territory throughout the year (Brown 1964b). In spring, pair performs Sexual Sidling; similar to Aggressive Sidling (see Figure 4), except crest angle is generally low. Male aligns sideways to a female, spreads tail, and tilts wings and body toward her, showing dorsal surfaces; Song commonly accompanies display; display may end in mounting and copulation (Brown 1964b). Courtship-Circling precedes or follows Sexual Sidling: Male (occasionally female) circles around mate, about 1.5 cm away. Tilts wings and tail toward mate, showing dorsal surfaces.

Figure 4. Aggressive Sidling behavior during interaction between male Steller's Jays

Behavior is characterized by erect crests, predominantly parallel orientation, loud and repeated calling, and frequent digging with bill or bill-rapping. From Brown 1964.

Lisa Millbank

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Apr 23, 2021, 6:36:34 PM4/23/21

to Pam and Randy Comeleo, Mid-Valley Nature

On Sunday, we were near Peavy Arboretum and saw this jay collecting nest material. There was an eroded road cut with ferns growing in the loose soil, and the jay returned several times to collect more of the fine sword fern roots. We also saw a Pacific Wren carrying moss and an American Robin with small twigs.

Lisa Millbank

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