Quick answer
If the bird has a black head and a blue body, it is most likely a Steller’s Jay in the western part of the continent. In the east and central regions, a blue-backed jay with a black necklace and white underparts is a Blue Jay. If the whole bird looks dark and glossy, think Purple Martin, grackle, or a male Indigo Bunting in poor light.
Steller’s Jay
Steller’s Jay has a black head with a tall, pointed crest and a dark blue body, wings and tail. Some birds show pale blue streaks above the eye. It is a bold, noisy jay of conifer and mixed forests in the West, and it will come to feeders for peanuts and sunflower seeds. For a regional look, see dark blue birds in California.
Blue Jay
The Blue Jay is bright blue above with white and gray below, a black collar and a blue crest. Wings and tail have black bars and white patches. It is common in the east and central parts of North America. The black necklace is the quickest way to spot it.
Other blue and black candidates
- Purple Martin: Males look glossy dark blue-black overall. They are swallows that nest in colonies and often use martin houses.
- Common Grackle and other grackles: Long tails and pale eyes, with iridescent heads that can flash blue, purple or bronze depending on the angle.
- Indigo Bunting (male): Small and blue, but can appear black in shade or backlight.
- Scrub-jays: Blue and gray-brown rather than black and blue. Our list of birds that are blue covers them.
How to tell them apart
| Bird | Size | Head | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steller’s Jay | Large | Black, crested | Dark blue body |
| Blue Jay | Large | Blue crest, black necklace | White underparts |
| Purple Martin | Medium, swallow-shaped | Dark | Glossy, forked tail |
| Grackle | Large, long tail | Iridescent | Pale eye, long tail |
| Indigo Bunting | Small | Blue | Short conical bill |
Jays in Colorado
Colorado sits where eastern and western birds meet. Steller’s Jays are typically found in the mountain forests, and Blue Jays are usually seen on the eastern plains. Scrub-jays and Pinyon Jays occur in other parts of the state. Check a current range map for your county.
A smaller bird that resembles a blue jay
Nothing small is an exact match, but several birds are blue and much smaller: bluebirds (look for the orange breast on Eastern and Western, or sky blue overall on Mountain), Indigo Buntings and Lazuli Buntings. None has a crest like a jay.
Are grackles a nuisance?
At feeders, grackles can arrive in large flocks and empty tube and platform feeders quickly. Some people find that frustrating, while others enjoy them. Feeders with smaller perches, or foods they are less keen on such as safflower, are commonly suggested ways to reduce visits.
Feeding tips
Jays tend to like peanuts in the shell and sunflower seeds. Martins and swallows eat flying insects and will not use seed feeders.