The California Scrub-Jay was once considered a single species, along with what is now Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay. The two species were jointly called the "Western Scrub-Jay" until the American Ornithological Union split the species in 2016. The California Scrub Jay is found in states along the West Coast, and is generally more richly colored than the similar Woodhouse's Scrub Jay. Multiple other Scrub Jays were all once considered the same species, including the Island Scrub-Jay and the Florida Scrub-Jay. All of the Scrub-Jays are a relatively common sight and sound throughout much of the West, often seen conspicuously foraging in suburban landscapes, or heard when giving their variable harsh calls.
Habitat
California Scrub-Jays can be found in a variety of shrubby and brushy habitats. They typically live near oak woodlands and scrubby chapparal, as well as brushy suburban habitats.
Diet
Omnivorous, feeding a wide variety of plant and animal matter. California Scrub-Jays feed heavily on sects and spiders during the summer months, while the winter diet often consists of more plant material, including seeds, acorns, fruits, and berries. They will also take small reptiles, amphibians, young birds, eggs, and small rodents when the opportunity arises.
Behavior
During the breeding season, California Scrub-Jays normally are found as isolated breeding pairs, and will vigorously defend territories from other Scrub-Jays. Outside of the breeding season, they are often found foraging in small family groups or small flocks. Mated pairs typically stay together throughout the year.
Nesting
Both the male and female help build a cup-shaped nest of sticks, plant material, and moss, usually relatively low in a tree or shrub. The female incubates the eggs, with the male feeding her during incubation. Both species will help feed and tend to the young.
Song
The California Scrub-Jay gives a wide variety of harsh, scratchy calls, most notably a loud scolding shak-shak-shak used when alarmed or defending territory. It also produces softer chatters, wheezy notes, and quiet guttural sounds when communicating with mates or family groups.
Migration
Considered permanent residents throughout their range, although there is some dispersal of birds in years of scarce food supplied in normal locations.
Interactive eBird map
Click here to access an interactive ebird map of Calfornia Scrub Jay sightings
Feeders
Will sometimes attend feeders for nuts and seeds. Can often be found in suburban areas, hunting for insects, as well as for fruits and berries in suburban landscaping.
Similar Species
Closely related and similar to Island Scrub-Jay , Florida Scrub-Jay , and Woodhouse's Scrub Jay , all of which were once considered one species. Also similar to Pinyon Jay and Mexican Jay.
The California Scrub-Jay is the widespread scrub-jay of the Pacific Coast from Washington south through most of California, recognized by its rich blue upperparts, bold white eyebrow, and crisp blue breast band. Island Scrub-Jay is found nowhere in the world except Santa Cruz Island off southern California, where it is noticeably larger, deeper blue, and longer-billed than its mainland relative. Florida Scrub-Jay is a paler, grayer species restricted to oak scrub habitats in peninsular Florida, lacking the strong blue breast necklace of the California bird and often appearing softer-faced. Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay replaces California Scrub-Jay inland across the Great Basin, Rockies, and much of the Southwest into Mexico; it is generally duller blue, grayer-backed, less sharply marked on the breast, and favors pinyon-juniper, foothill woodland, and desert-edge habitats rather than coastal chaparral.
In parts of the Southwest California Scrub-Jay may be confused with Mexican Jay, but Mexican Jays are slightly larger, more uniformly blue-gray, lack the sharp white throat pattern, and usually travel in noisy family flocks in mountain woodlands. Pinyon Jay is also plainer-looking, with an all-over dusty blue coloration, no white throat, a longer pointed bill, and a highly social habit of moving in larger wandering flocks through pinyon-juniper country.
Conservation Status
There are currently no perceived major threats to California Scrub-Jay populations, and the IUCN cites it as a species of "Least Concern".
Photo Information
April 19th, 2007 - Point Reyes National Seashore, California - Terry Sohl
