Unicolored Jay vs Woodhouse's Scrub Jay

Unicolored Jay

Aphelocoma unicolor

Medium124 gForest

The unicolored jay is about 34 cm (13 in) long. The nominate subspecies A. u. unicolor weighs about 125 to 150 g (4.4 to 5.3 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. The nominate subspecies is entirely deep blue to purplish blue that is somewhat darker on the sides of the head and the throat. Juveniles are a slightly bluish gray that is duller than adult plumage. Subspecies A. u. griscomi has the same plumage as the nominate. A. u. guerrerensis is the most purplish subspecies, A. u. concolor is a paler blue than the nominate, and A. u. oaxacae is somewhat darker than the nominate. Voice: Though recordings of unicolored jay vocalizations come from most of its range, detailed analyses come primarily from the Montebello studies. The birds there made hundreds of variants of their calls though many were only subtly different from each other. The calls were described as grating/harsh, musical/resonant, whistled, loud, and soft.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: datadan · CC BY 4.0

Woodhouse's Scrub Jay

Aphelocoma woodhouseii

90 gShrubland

Woodhouse'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. The species has a blue head, wings, and tail; a gray-brown back; and grayish underparts. The throat is whitish with a partial blue breast band ("necklace"). The call is described as "harsh and scratchy". Compared to the California scrub jay, Woodhouse's has a duller blue, darker gray underparts, a less distinct blue necklace, and a straighter bill.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Jo Roberts · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Unicolored Jay and Woodhouse's Scrub Jay.