About the Island Scrub Jay
The island scrub jay, also known as the island jay or Santa Cruz jay, is a bird in the genus Aphelocoma, which is endemic to Santa Cruz Island off the coast of Southern California. Of the over 500 breeding bird species in the continental U.S. and Canada, it is the only insular endemic landbird species, meaning it is restricted to a geographical island.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in April · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Unicolored JayAphelocoma unicolorThe unicolored jay is about 34 cm (13 in) long.
Transvolcanic JayAphelocoma ultramarinaThe Transvolcanic jay is 28 to 32 cm (11 to 13 in) long and weighs 120 to 150 g (4.2 to 5.3 oz).
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).
Learn the Island Scrub Jay for real
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