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Scrub Jay

(Aphelocoma coerulescens)

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Size             : 11 - 13 inches long (28 - 33cm)

Description      : Male   - No crest. Back is gray, wings and tail, dull blue; white throat and underparts; 
                            dull blue marks on breast; face is blue-gray  
 
                   Female - Same as male

Preferred Habitat: Brush, river woods and junipers. In Florida, confined chiefly to scrub oak

Preferred food   : Omnivorous; seeds, fruit, acorns, peanuts, young mice, nestlings, small fish and frogs,
                   baked goods, suet
                                      
Breeding Range   : From Washington, Wyoming, and Colorado, south to Texas and southern Mexico. There is 
                   also an isolated population in central Florida.

Winter Range     : Permanent resident in breeding range

Interesting Facts: - To explain the isolated Florida population, it is presumed that once, a belt of scrub
                     oak extended from the western states across the south and into Florida. Presently, 
                     the Florida scrub jays are separated from their western relatives by more than 1,000 miles
                   - Territory of the Florida scrub jay consists of a single scrub oak: only one pair to a tree. 
                     The youngsters have to wait until an adult dies to claim an oak tree of their own. Until then, the
                     children help their parents with the raising of any other broods their parents may have and do not
                     breed themselves.
                   - Western scrub jays may nest alone or up to six pairs to a scrub oak
                   - Nest building takes about five days to complete: in the west, the nests are bulkier,
                     made of twigs, leaves and stems; in Florida, the nests are of the same materials, but, smaller 
                     and better built; the lining is of rootlets, moss, feathers and wool - the western jay also adds 
                     horse hair
                   - Prefers to build his nest lower than the blue jay, at only 4 - 12 feet above ground
                   - Call is similar to that of the blue jay, loud and harsh; the bird is also capable of a sweet song
                     of low warbles and trills
                   - May eat eggs and young of other birds
                   - Has a tendency to carry off/hide shiny, brightly colored objects
                   - Tames easily and will readily come to feeders for favorites: peanuts and suet