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ShrublandPlatform nestMedium · 86 g
What the California Scrub Jay sounds like
ID tip
The California scrub jay is a medium-sized bird, approximately 27–31 cm (11–12 in) in length (including its tail), with a 39 cm (15 in) wingspan, and about 80 g (2.8 oz) in weight. In general, this species has a blue head, wings, and tail; a gray-brown back; grayish underparts; and white eyebrows. The throat is whitish with a blue necklace. The call or "squawk" is described as "harsh and angry-sounding".
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the California Scrub Jay
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is April, the month with the most records.
Where to see the California Scrub Jay
The map shades 3 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
About the California Scrub Jay
The California scrub jay is a species of scrub jay native to western North America. It ranges from southern British Columbia throughout California and western Nevada near Reno to west of the Sierra Nevada. The California scrub jay was once lumped with Woodhouse's scrub jay and collectively called the western scrub jay. IUCN and the Handbook of the Birds of the World maintain this lumped taxon. The group was also lumped with the island scrub jay and the Florida scrub jay; the taxon was then called simply scrub jay. The California scrub jay is nonmigratory and can be found in urban areas, where it can become tame and will come to bird feeders.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Woodhouse's Scrub JayAphelocoma woodhouseiiWoodhouse's scrub jay is a medium-sized bird, approximately 27–31 cm (11–12 in) in length (including its tail), with a 39 cm (15 in) wingspan, and about 80 g (2.8 oz) in weight.
Mexican JayAphelocoma wollweberiThe Mexican jay is a medium-large (~120 g) passerine similar in size to most other jays, with a blue head, blue-gray mantle, blue wings and tail, and pale gray breast and underparts.
Florida Scrub JayAphelocoma coerulescensIt measures 23 to 28 cm (9.1 to 11.0 in) in length, and weighs from 66 to 92 g (2.3 to 3.2 oz), with an average 80.2 g (2.83 oz).
Side by side: California Scrub Jay vs Woodhouse's Scrub Jay · California Scrub Jay vs Mexican Jay · California Scrub Jay vs Florida Scrub Jay
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