Compared to other jays, long-tailed and more slender. Bill is shaped like that of a crow or a magpie, longer and somewhat less pointed, outer half of the culmen is slightly curved. Mostly blue above, including head, wings, rump, and tail; back varies from brownish gray to gray, narrow white line above the eye, auriculars black to dusky gray in contrast to otherwise blue head. Mostly pale gray to near white below, some streaking on the throat and upper breast terminating with a band across the breast. Two distinct subspecies: californica and woodhouseii. Californica is deep blue above with a brownish back, inconspicuous dark mask, and a more sharply defined blue necklace. Woodhouseii is paler blue above, grayer on back, bill is straighter and thinner. Generally grayer below with a poorly defined band across the chest. Juveniles are mostly gray, with a little blue on the head. Formerly considered con-specific with highly localized and nearly identical Florida and Island scrub-jays (which do not overlap in range with Western Scrub-Jays.). Mexican Jay lacks the contrasting dark cheek, is entirely pale gray below, shows no throat streaking or breast band, and is slimmer bodied and tailed.

Length: 28 (cm) Wingspan: 39 (cm)

Voice:

Various harsh or raspy calls. A commonly heard call is an agitated jaaank, which may be repeated at different intensities and rates. Also gives softer calls.

Habitat:

In western parts of the range, Western Scrub-Jays can be found in residential areas, oak woodlands, or brushy habitats. In the Great Basin and further east, they occupy juniper and pinyon.

Behavior:

Often in small groups, extremely vocal. Stores nuts and acorns in large caches that are often forgotten. Can often be seen making circuits back and forth as they gather filberts and acorns during fall.

Feeding:

Their diet consists of nuts, acorns, seeds, fruits, grains, insects, lizards, frogs, and even bird nestlings and eggs. Frequents bird feeders where available.