green jay

Description:

spotted at Santa Clara Ranch. The Green Jays of the Northern population are smaller, at 25–29 cm (10-11.5 in), than the South American birds, at 29.5-34.3 cm (11.7-13.6 in). Weight ranges from 66 to 110 grams (2.3-3.9 oz).

Habitat:

The Green Jay seems to favor areas of dense forest and thick scrub and is usually associated with riparian areas. It is not uncommon, however, to observe this jay in mesquite and other upland habitats, particularly during the summer. The nest is usually well-concealed within dense thickets and trees at a height of 5-7.5 m (17-25 ft). The often bulky cup-shaped nest is constructed of thorny twigs and small stems and may be lined with bits of moss, dry grass, and leaves (Bent 1946). A typical clutch consists of four eggs and occasionally ranges from three to five (Harrison 1979).