Family: Corvidae, Crows, Magpies, Jays view all from this family

Description 11-13" (28-33 cm). Robin-sized, but large strong bill and long tail make it appear larger. Head, wings, and tail blue (conspicuous when it glides in a long, undulating flight); back dull brown; underparts light gray. No crest; dusky face mask. White throat offset by incomplete blue necklace. See Gray-breasted Jay.

Habitat Scrub oak, woodlands, and chaparral, but does not breed in low scrub because it needs watch posts; also inhabits suburban gardens.

Nesting 3-6 eggs, spotted on darker, greenish or reddish base, in a twiggy nest well hidden in a tree or dense shrub.

Range Resident from Washington, Wyoming, and Colorado south to Texas; also in Mexico.

Voice   Call is loud, throaty jayy? or jree? In flight, a long series of check-check-check notes.

Discussion Like all jays, this species may be secretive and silent around its nest or while perching in a treetop in early morning but is frequently noisy and conspicuous. Scrub jays often eat the eggs or young of other birds, but in summer they are mainly insectivorous. These birds also eat acorns and have been described as "uphill planters," counter-balancing the tendency of acorns to bounce or roll downhill. The jays bury many more acorns than they consume and help regenerate oak forests that have been destroyed by fire or drought.