




Aphelocoma californica
The California Scrub-Jay is a cheerful blue bird that loves to hop around in trees and bushes. They are very smart and can even remember where they hide their food!
Habitat: Urban areas
The California Scrub-Jay has striking sky-blue wings, tail, and head, contrasted with a grey back and white belly. A thin blue necklace often separates its throat from its chest. Unlike many jays, it lacks a crest.





Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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A scrub-jay can remember where it buried up to 5,000 acorns and seeds!
These clever birds can recognize individual human faces they encounter often!
They sometimes imitate the calls of hawks to scare off rivals from food.
They sometimes trick other birds by pretending to hide food in empty spots.
California Scrub-Jays can remember thousands of food cache locations because their sharp memory helps them find buried treats months later.
California Scrub-Jays help grow oak forests because they bury acorns and sometimes forget them, letting new trees sprout.
California Scrub-Jays can solve complex problems and even use tools because their clever minds help them find tricky food.
These smart birds feast on a mix of tasty plants and small creatures, especially acorns!
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species.
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal.
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Danger
1/5 · Very low
It's best to watch birds from a distance and not to disturb their nests.
27-31 cm
38-46 cm
0.07-0.1 kg
9-19 years
35 km/h
These smart birds feast on a mix of tasty plants and small creatures, especially acorns!
Urban areas
Foraging
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California, US
You might spot Duck, Great Egret, and Hooded Merganser.
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California, US
You might spot Bee, Monarch, and Anna's Hummingbird.
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California, US
You might spot California Wild Rose and California Wild Grape.
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Washington, US
You might spot Garden Spider, Western Redcedar, and Fringed Willowherb.
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California, US
You might spot Great Egret, Duck, and Great Blue Heron.
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California, US
You might spot Coast Live Oak, Lesser Goldfinch, and California Scrub-Jay.
View guide →