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Project Noah Nature School
Aphelocoma californica
This photo was taken in Spring Mountain Ranch State Park in southern Nevada. My first impression is this is a Mountain Bluebird, as this area is at the base of the Spring Mountains...an area which is home to the bluebird. With help from Joshua in commentary below, this is identified as a Western Scrub Jay. This is the only real good shot I was able to take before it took off.
This bird was spotted in a riparian area in the Mojave Desert, which is at the base of the Spring Mountains. The mountains range from scrub oak at lower elevations to conifer forest at higher elevations.
Spotted on Feb 5, 2015
Submitted on May 1, 2015
2 Comments
Joshua...don't apologize, I was not convinced I had it right. I just researched and agree with your conclusion.
Correction made, and your input is appreciated.
I hate to say it... but this is a Western Scrub Jay. Note the white strip above eye, brown upper back, and brown auricular patch. I have to say that it isn't the most typical looking WESJ, so I totally understand the misidentification.