Scrub Jays (Aphelocoma
coerulescens), as with all Jays, belong to the family Corvidae,
along with the Magpies and Crows. Most Jays are the same size,
about 12 inches. Scrub Jays are mostly blue with a white throat
and grey underparts and no crest. The back is greyish brown.
They are found mostly in the West from
Washington to California and into Mexico. Also in Colorado, Wyoming
and Texas. There is also a Scrub Jay in Florida.
The call is loud and obnoxious, rough and
rasping.
The nest, made of sticks and twigs and lined with hair and plant material is built in a tree or shrub. There are from 3 to 6 eggs that are pale greenish blue or pale olive green and speckled with brown. On occasion the eggs will be speckled on a buff background. The incubation period is about 2 weeks.
Scrub Jays are omnivorous and eat meat,
insects, fruit and other plant substances.
Photo of Scrub Jay courtesy
of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
