“Hey, I’ve got a Steller’s jay in my yard,” a friend called me on Monday last week. I hurried over, but it was gone by the time I got there. “He left our place and went over to the neighbors but ...

DEAR JOAN: I’m used to the squawking of Steller’s jays, but one regular visitor to our yard mimics the cry of hawks in our area. Have you ever heard of this? Any explanation? — Gary Summers, Walnut ...

DEAR GARY: Steller’s jays are more than a little bit devious, using their ability to mimic hawk calls to gain an advantage over a food source. Why are birds perching on only 1 set of power lines?