What's the difference between a scrub jay and a blue jay?

Publish date: 2024-05-05
Appearance. The Florida scrub-jay is a blue and gray bird about the size of a blue jay. Scrub-jays have blue wings, head, and tail, and gray back and underparts, and a whitish forehead and neck. Unlike blue jays, this species does not have black markings or a crest.  Takedown request View complete answer on myfwc.com

Are Scrub-Jays the same as blue jays?

Blue Jays occur in the east and don't overlap with California Scrub-Jays. They have a blue crest and a black necklace, 2 features that California Scrub-Jays don't have.  Takedown request View complete answer on allaboutbirds.org

How do you identify a Scrub-Jay?

Measurements. Light blue and gray above, with a whitish throat and grayish belly separated by an indistinct, partial breast band of blue. In birds, the color blue depends on lighting, so Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays can look simply dark. Assertive, vocal, and inquisitive.  Takedown request View complete answer on allaboutbirds.org

What bird is mistaken for a blue jay?

A bird that closely resembles a Blue Jay but is not a Blue Jay is the Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri). The Steller's Jay is a member of the same family as the Blue Jay (Corvidae) and shares some similar physical characteristics, such as the vibrant blue coloration and distinctive crested head.  Takedown request View complete answer on quora.com

How do you tell a male Scrub-Jay from a female?

The plumage of adult males and females looks alike, but males are slightly larger than females. The head, nape, wings, and tail are pale blue. The back and belly are pale gray. The throat and chest are white and bordered by a blue gray bib.  Takedown request View complete answer on fws.gov

Scrub Jay facts: blue birds of the west coast | Animal Fact Files

Are scrub-jays friendly?

These friendly, curious birds are vital for the regeneration of scrub. Their coloration is similar to that of the blue jay with a gray forehead and white throat.  Takedown request View complete answer on cms2.revize.com

Do scrub-jays mate for life?

The large bill of the island scrub-jay is related to its diet, of thick-shelled acorns which they bury, or cache, in the fall and eat months later. They also eat insects, spiders, snakes, lizards, mice, and other birds' eggs and nestlings. These birds are monogamous, often having the same mates all their lives.  Takedown request View complete answer on nps.gov

Do Blue Jays recognize humans?

Studies show Blue Jays remember human faces, and if the birds take an interest in you, they might follow you around.  Takedown request View complete answer on intobirds.com

What does it mean when you see a blue jay?

Blue jays are symbols of communication, curiosity, and confidence. A sighting may be an omen urging you to speak up, be bold, and chase your goals. Seeing a blue jay may be a warning to second guess who you trust, as this rambunctious bird is also associated with trickery and deceit.  Takedown request View complete answer on wikihow.com

What bird is gray and looks like a blue jay?

Western Scrub-Jay

This blue-and-gray jay with a short bill and no crest can be found as far north as Washington stateand south to Central America. Rather than living in groups like their Floridian cousins, the Western scrub-jay sticks to breeding pairs rather than family groups.

 Takedown request View complete answer on treehugger.com

What trees do Scrub-Jays live in?

California Scrub-Jays are found in scrub, oak woodlands, and suburban yards of the Pacific Seaboard from extreme southern British Columbia, Canada, through Baja California, Mexico. Look for them near oaks: in oak scrub, oak woodlands, and the oak savannah of California's Central Valley.  Takedown request View complete answer on celebrateurbanbirds.org

What does a female scrub jay look like?

What do California Scrub-Jays look like? Both male and female California Scrub-Jays are bright blue, have a patch of grayish-brown on their backs, and have white on their throats and abdomens.  Takedown request View complete answer on sacramentoaudubon.org

What are Scrub-Jays known for?

California Scrub-Jays—like many members of the crow and jay family—have a mischievous streak. They've been caught stealing acorns from Acorn Woodpecker caches, and some even steal acorns they've watched other jays hide. When these birds go to hide their own acorns, they check first that no other jays are watching.  Takedown request View complete answer on allaboutbirds.org

Are scrub jays aggressive?

Scrub-jays are aggressive birds, 10 to 12 inches long, and are distinguished by their crestless head, olive-gray back, and white throat with a blue outline. Their head, tail, and wings are blue.  Takedown request View complete answer on ipm.ucanr.edu

Do scrub jays eat hummingbirds?

Hummers are a popular target not only for scrub jays, but lizards, snakes, crows, orioles, squirrels, bats and, of course, cats.  Takedown request View complete answer on mercurynews.com

Do squirrels eat scrub jays?

California Scrub Jays have many predators and prey. Predators include raccoons, weasels, skunks, squirrels, king snakes, gopher snakes, rattlesnakes, magpies, crows, other jays, bobcats, house cats, accipiters, and Great Horned Owls. California Scrub Jays are omnivores and will eat different plants and animals.  Takedown request View complete answer on richardsonbay.audubon.org

How rare is it to see a blue jay?

Blue Jays are common, but their populations have declined by an estimated 0.6% per year for a cumulative decline of about 27% between 1966 and 2019 according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey.  Takedown request View complete answer on allaboutbirds.org

Why are there so many blue jays in my yard?

They love acorns

Blue jays love acorns, too, so if have oak trees in or near your yard, blue jays are probably a common sight, Cornell Lab reports. In fact, if you want blue jays around, planting oak trees is a good way to do it.

 Takedown request View complete answer on reconnectwithnature.org

Are blue jays aggressive?

It typically gleans food from trees, shrubs, and the ground, and sometimes hawks insects from the air. Blue jays can be very aggressive to other birds; they sometimes raid nests and have even been found to have decapitated other birds. It builds an open cup nest in the branches of a tree; both sexes participate.  Takedown request View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org

Do birds know when you help them?

Birds, like most animals, may not have the same level of cognitive awareness as humans, but they can still exhibit behaviors that suggest they appreciate help. For example, if you provide food or shelter for birds, they may return to the same location, demonstrating some level of recognition and gratitude.  Takedown request View complete answer on quora.com

How do you befriend blue jays?

Offer the Blue Jays their favorite foods.

The best way to attract birds to your area is with food. The Blue Jay's diet mainly consists of plants, vegetables and nuts, though they also eat some insects. You will draw quite a few Blue Jays to your area if you offer a variety in a large platform feeder.

 Takedown request View complete answer on wikihow.life

Do blue jays bring gifts?

Blue Jays seal the deal with a gift

When the competition is down to the last male, it's time to seal the deal. The couple retreats for some one-on-one time, where they ruffle their feathers at each other and offer gifts of food or nesting material.

 Takedown request View complete answer on lyricbirdfood.com

How smart are scrub jays?

Scrub jays are also the only non-primate or non-dolphin shown to plan ahead for the future (known as metacognition), which was previously thought of as a uniquely human trait. Other studies have shown that they can remember locations of over 200 food caches, as well as the food item in each cache and its rate of decay.  Takedown request View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org

What are the predators of scrub jays?

Adult and juvenile jays must watch out for predators including raptors, common ravens, snakes, and other jays. California scrub-jays eat insects, fruits, nuts, berries, and seeds, and occasionally small animals. They often forage in pairs or family groups.  Takedown request View complete answer on nwf.org

Where do scrub jays sleep?

Pairs typically stay together all year on their permanent territory. Nest site is in a shrub or tree, usually fairly low, 5-15' above the ground, but sometimes higher. Nest (built by both sexes) is a well-built, thick-walled cup of twigs and grass, lined with rootlets and sometimes with animal hair.  Takedown request View complete answer on audubon.org

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7s7HPraClnZujvLi4xJ2enmaTpLpwvsSpq6KklWK9prDImmawoJGpwG7Ax55knaGWm7Kzsc2cnGaalanEprHNZphmq5OnwqN5yZqwZpmemXqiecGlrJ5lmpbG