Adults
Description
Size: 11.5”
Plumage/Description: Male and female plumage similar. Head, neck, wings and tail are a deep blue color. Back is more gray than blue. Throat white, breast and belly a dirty gray color overall. Dark auriculars, slight white eye brow.
Habitat: Oak/Chaparral, Pinyon/Juniper, Residential
Time of year: Year-round
Relative Abundance: Common
Behavior: Western Scrub-Jays are bold and sassy. Frequently travel in small family units, tend to be very vocal as they search for food. For much of the year they eat seeds and nuts, but during breeding season they become more predator-like in behavior, seeking live food sources such as baby birds, bird eggs and other live food sources to feed their own babies. Will frequent seed and suet feeders in residential settings. Mimics the flight pattern of Sharp-shinned Hawks which scares away songbirds feeding at backyard feeders.
Diet: Seeds, Nuts, Insects, birds, a variety of invertebrates
Similar species: Mexican Jay
Best Sites: Acker Park, Heritage Park, Pioneer Park, pretty much most residential areas that have a lot of native habitat such as Forest Trails, Wildwood, etc.
