Perching birds - Western Scrub-Jay
| More pictures | Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) |  |
Western Scrub-Jay
(Aphelocoma californica)
| Length: | 30 cm |
| Colours: | Blue, black and white |
Description: This large jay has a long blue tail and blue wings. The Western Scrub Jay has a strong black beak, the side of its face is black with a white band above the eye and a blue crown and nape. The throat and upper breast are white, bordered by an incomplete blue breast band. The breast and belly below the breast band are dull grey/brown getting darker on the flanks, with black legs. Inland Western Scrub Jays are similar but paler and generally more dull.
Habitat: Scrub oak, woodlands (pinyon pine, juniper, oak) and thick low brush also found near suburban gardens or wooded parks.
Region: West USA more common in the south, from Western Texas up to Wyoming west to Northern Oregon. They don't migrate.
Feeding: The Western Scrub Jay mainly eats insects however they do eat eggs of other birds and small animals as well as seeds, nuts, berries and acorns. Often storing pine seeds and acorns, usually more than they eat so helping regenerate woodland after fires.
