Today, at home north of Woodland Park, had one Steller's Jay of a pair collecting twigs by breaking them off my western honeysuckle shrub (boo) while the other stood watch nearby (mate-guarding?). I mean really, there are plenty of readily available twigs on the ground without going to all the trouble to snap one off my shrub.
Other nest-building records of Steller's Jays at my home over the years include: 5/17-5/25/2004 4/05-4/27/2007 As is typical behavior for this species, it takes the twig to a nearby tree and then slowly climbs up the tree by hopping limb to limb to near the top (this time the largest ponderosa around, which is off my back deck). Sometimes this is the tree the nest is going to be in, and sometimes when it gets to the top it flies off to another tree. Seems suited for seeing if it is being watched or followed before committing to placing the material. Jeff J Jones ( <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]) Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en To unsubscribe, reply using "remove me" as the subject.
