Scrub Jay

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae Genus: Aphelocoma Species: coerulescens
Binomial name
Aphelocoma coerulescens

The Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) is about the same size as the Blue Jay but differs in having a longer tail, slightly shorter, more rounded wings and no crest on the head. The top of the head, nape and sides of the head are a rich deep blue with a white stripe above the eye and dark ear coverts. The breast is white or grey-white and the back is a grey-brown contrasting with the bright blue tail and wings. The bill, legs and feet are black.

There are three recognised races of this species differing slightly from one another in colour and bill size. All live in chaparral scrub-type country and occur as three separate populations, one in the extreme west from Oregon to Baja California, the next in the south western U.S.A. and Mexico, with the last in Florida.

Food is taken both on the ground and in trees. Many insects and other invertebrates are taken, eggs and nestlings, small frogs, mice and reptiles. Acorns are an important food too with grain, berries and other fruits making up the rest of the vegetable matter.

The nest is in a tree or a bush, sometimes quite low down. Usually 2-4 eggs are laid and incubated over 14-16 days.

Like all jays, there is a huge range of sounds and calls but the most commonly heard call is a cheek, cheek, cheek, or a guttural krr'r'r'r'r.

Image link

• Scrub Jay (http://www.stanford.edu/~petelat1/scrubjay.jpg)