This is a fairly large blue and white bird with a distinctive crest and a sturdy all dark bill. It has a whitish face with black forehead and eye line. Crest and nape blue. Black collar on chest extending onto head. Back deep blue; chin and belly whitish gray. Wings and tail light blue with dark barring and white patches. Tail short with white corners. In flight, white tail edges and trailing edges of wings are prominent. Only other crested jay within its range is Steller's, but those are all blue and black, with different vocalizations. Occasionally hybridizes with Steller's Jay.

Length: 28 (cm) Wingspan: 41 (cm)

Voice:

Harsh jay jay and various other harsh calls; also clear whistles.

Habitat:

Mixed woodlands, edges of clearings, and city parks.

Behavior:

Extremely vocal; imitates other species, especially Red-shouldered Hawks. Aggressive. Sometimes seen in flocks, especially in fall when hundreds can be found along coastlines.

Feeding:

Diet consists of mice, frogs, bird nestlings and eggs, insects, fruits, seeds and nuts.