The forum went through a crash and now the old topics that this would fit better in are gone and nobody seems to be interested enough to reinstate them. I think your question might go better in the other thread simply because it's technically "ID help" even though it's not a particular bird you're wanting ID'd.
Steller's Jays have varying amounts of white and blue on their heads (I think there are some subspecies at play here but have yet to find any good research articles on them)
I remember that! What was the consensus? I think I may have said Harlan's but I don't remember. Now that I look at it, seems like melanism is a possibility.
Hmm... that's tough. I think that pretty much limits us (at least me in PA and Idaho by next week) to Redpolls and Rosy-finches... Evening Grosbeak and Pine Grosbeak in PA but they both breed in Idaho too.
I've just spent some time listening through different calls. Barred Owls from what I can tell don't make that raspy almost cat-like screech - I still like GHOW.