Short tail; very long, decurved, pointy bill. All pale blue except for dark legs and bill, and white chin. Blue richest on head, back and tail, sometimes worn on belly. Very faint, whitish streaks on breast and throat. Crow-like flight style.

Length: 27 (cm) Wingspan: 46 (cm)

Voice:

High, rising cawing. Call repeated continuously, calling flocks are distinctive.

Habitat:

Open, dry juniper-pinyon slopes. Also sagebrush, ponderosa pines, pine-oak woods or chaparral. Occurs from 3,000 to 8,000 feet.

Behavior:

Gregarious, usually seen in large flocks containing up to 500 birds. Individual may stay with the same flock for its whole life. Wanders in search of food.

Feeding:

Various berries, seeds (particularly pine), acorns, small mammals, snakes, lizards, and nestling birds.