Bird Guide

Florida Scrub Jay vs Island Scrub Jay

Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)

Florida Scrub Jay

Aphelocoma coerulescens

Medium77 gShrubland

It 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). The wingspan of the jay is 33–36 cm (13–14 in). It has a strong black bill, blue head and nape without a crest, a whitish forehead and supercilium, blue bib, blue wings, grayish underparts, gray back, long blue tail, black legs and feet.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Jody Mask · CC BY 4.0
Island Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma insularis)

Island Scrub Jay

Aphelocoma insularis

Medium116 gShrubland

The island scrub jay is closely related to the California scrub jay (the coastal population found on the adjacent mainland), but differs in being larger, more brightly colored, and having a markedly stouter bill. They will bury, or cache, the acorns in the fall and may eat them months later. They also eat insects, spiders, snakes, lizards, mice and other birds' eggs and nestlings.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Ben Sims · CC0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Florida Scrub Jay and Island Scrub Jay.