CALIFORNIA WESTERN BLUE JAY – SCRUB-JAY & STELLER'S JAY

PHOTOS

Some people would describe Western Scrub Jays as sentinels with an attitude. They sound an alarm by shrieking loudly to announce your entry into their space. They have a habit of making a huge commotion they think something of importance is happening.

The Western Scrub Jay is an omnivorous bird. Acorns, seeds, insects, fruits and nuts make up most of their diet. Nuts are typically stored in the soil, tree cavities, and inside bushes and shrubs. Many of the nuts and seeds will remain uneaten and will later germinate. Western Scrub Jays love peanuts. Unshelled, shelled, roasted, unroasted. It doesn't matter. If you have dense shrubs or trees around your home, a pair may build a nest.

The Western Scrub Jay is abundant in most of California. You'll find them living around oak trees, oak woodland, and in areas with dense chaparral. In the local area, Scrub Jays take refuge in Pinyon Pine and the surrounding juniper woodlands.

Scrub Jays make their nests with twigs and line them with fine strands of plant material and livestock hair. It takes the jay about 10-12 days to build a nest measuring between 6-7 inches across when completed. Both parents help with nest building. The female will lay 1-5 eggs typically pale green to pale gray color, sometimes spotted or blotched brown. The chicks will emerge in 17-19 days.

For more information on the Western Blue Jay (Scrub-Jay) and the Steller's Jay, its life history and videos, visit the following website: