California Scrub-Jay
Aphelocoma californica
Scrub-jays are among the most intelligent of all animals; they practice 'tactical deception' by re-hiding their food if they notice another jay watching them.
- Scientific name
- Aphelocoma californica
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Corvidae › Aphelocoma
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Oak woodlands, chaparral, scrublands, and suburban gardens.
- Diet
- Omnivorous: primarily acorns, seeds, insects, small reptiles, and occasionally the eggs of other birds.
- Range
- Washington, Oregon, California, Baja California
- Size
- 11-12 inches long; wingspan of approximately 15 inches.
- Lifespan
- 9-15 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation, West Nile Virus, and predation by outdoor domestic cats.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and often curious. These birds may approach humans for food, but do not feed them human snacks as it harms their health. Maintain a respectful distance of 5-10 feet. If a bird appears aggressive, you are likely too close to a nest; simply back away. No medical risk to humans.
The California scrub jay ( Aphelocoma californica ), is a species of scrub jay native to western North America. It ranges from southern British Columbia throughout California west of the Sierra Nevada. The California scrub jay was once lumped with the island scrub jay, and Woodhouse's scrub jay, collectively called the western scrub jay. The group was also lumped with the Florida scrub jay; the taxon was then called, simply, the scrub jay . The California scrub jay is...
Photo: Dawn Beattie, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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