Western Scrub-Jay’s are a beautiful blue bird with a very long blue tail. They are mostly blue on top with some graying. Their underneath side is usually light gray. Most Western Scrub-Jay’s are determined to have their own way and demonstrating a tendency to be very vocal. They usually seem to take it easy with a slow deliberate flight that seems to take in everything around them. But when agitated they dart to and fro screaming at the top of their lungs. They really do like to have it their way. Usually found in scrubby oaks and similar habitat.

With your binoculars take some time and look for general markings and characteristics, things that you notice right off. Do not spend a lot of time trying to memorize different aspects of the Western Scrub-Jay’s. Just look for general information and then you will be able to quickly recognize what group these birds belong to by noticing size, general shape, colors and their behavior.

I suggest that you keep a note book of these characteristics. You can add to it from time to time. This will help you understand and learn. But be patient and note things only one at a time. Otherwise you may get tired and discouraged because you can’t remember everything at once. It will all come in time as you watch these birds. Also take a look at the field marks such as a wingbar and eyering markings to tie some IDs down.

Please remember also to note what time of year you see them as well as other kinds of birds you see in your neighborhood. Then you will be able to keep track of them better next year when the return.

A good field book on birds will help, but do not try to memorize everything in it all at once. Just learn about your specific bird of interest.

Western Scrub-Jay

Size & Shape

A rather lanky bird with long, floppy tail and a rounded head without any crest

Color Pattern

Blue and gray above, with a pale underside that is broken up by a blue necklace

Behavior

Determined, assertive, vocal, and inquisitive; in flight seems underpowered and slow

Habitat

Scrubby habitats of the West: oak woodlands and chaparral near the coast and pinion-juniper woodlands of the interior