Western Scrub-Jay

Description:

The Western Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica[A]), is a species of scrub jay native to western North America. It ranges from southern Washington to central Texas and central Mexico. It comprises three distinct subspecies groups, all of which may be separate species. They are California Scrub Jay (coastal), Woodhouse's Scrub Jay (interior US and northern Mexico), and Sumichrast's Scrub Jay (interior southern Mexico). The Western Scrub Jay was once lumped with the Island Scrub Jay and the Florida Scrub Jay; the taxon was then called, simply, the Scrub Jay.[2] The Western Scrub Jay is nonmigratory and can be found in urban areas, where it can become tame and will come to bird feeders. While many refer to scrub jays as "blue jays", the Blue Jay is a different species of bird entirely. In recent years, the California Scrub Jay has expanded its range north into the Puget Sound region of Washington.

Habitat:

True to its name, the Western Scrub Jay inhabits areas of low scrub, preferring pinon-juniper forests, oak woods, edges of mixed evergreen forests and sometimes mesquite bosques. The coastal population also inhabits suburban gardens. Western Scrub-Jays are very common west of the Rocky Mountains, and can be found in scrub-brush, boreal forests, temperate forests, coastal regions, and suburban areas.

Notes:

First time in 20 years I have ever had a Scrub-Jay visit our backyard, although they are sometimes seen a few blocks away.