# Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay (*Aphelocoma woodhouseii*) Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay is a cheerful bird with bright blue feathers and a curious personality. They love to hop around in bushes and trees, looking for tasty bugs and seeds to eat. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Scrublands - **Also known as:** Woodhouse's Jay ![Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Woodhouse's_Scrub_Jay_%28Aphelocoma_woodhouseii%29_%2819730267073%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ron Knight from Seaford, East Sussex, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Woodhouse's_Scrub_Jay_%28Aphelocoma_woodhouseii%29_%2819730267073%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay has a plain blue head, wings, and tail, with a contrasting grey back and creamy white underparts. It lacks any crest or markings on its head, distinguishing its sleek, unpatterned blue from other jay species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Corvidae - **Genus:** Aphelocoma ## Interesting facts - These smart birds have been observed using tools to get tricky food. - They can fly directly into thick bushes at top speed without getting hurt. - They can recognize individual human faces and remember them for years! - Young jays sometimes stay with their parents to help raise new siblings. ## Special abilities - **Memory Maestro:** Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay can remember thousands of food caches because of an incredible spatial memory that helps them survive harsh winters. - **Acorn Planter:** Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay has a habit of burying acorns that helps them spread oak trees by forgetting some of their hidden treasures. - **Social Communicator:** Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay can use a variety of calls because of complex vocalizations that help them warn others of danger. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 25-29 cm - **Wingspan:** 38-46 cm - **Weight:** 0.07-0.1 kg - **Lifespan:** 8-16 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-6 - **Incubation:** 17-19 days ## Diet & Feeding These omnivores munch on nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects, even hunting small critters! - **Primary Foods:** acorns, pinyon pine nuts, insects, berries, small lizards - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Gambel Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gambel-oak) (*Quercus gambelii*) — Acorns are a crucial food source and spread by jays. - **Shelter:** [Utah Juniper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/utah-juniper) (*Juniperus osteosperma*) — Provides safe nesting sites and protection from predators. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A common aerial predator of adult scrub-jays. - **Eaten by:** [Western Diamondback Rattlesnake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-diamondback-rattlesnake) (*Crotalus atrox*) — May prey on eggs or nestlings if nests are accessible. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay? 25-29 cm ### What is Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay's wingspan? 38-46 cm ### How much does Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay weigh? 0.07-0.1 kg ### How long does Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay live? 8-16 years ### How fast can Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay move? 45 km/h ### What does Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay eat? These omnivores munch on nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects, even hunting small critters! ### Where is Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay usually found? Scrublands ## Where to spot - [Barrio De Analco Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrio-de-analco-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Bryce Canyon National Park Scenic Trails Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bryce-canyon-national-park-scenic-trails-historic-district) — Utah, US · Trail - [Camino del Monte Sol Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/camino-del-monte-sol-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [El Tovar Stables](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/el-tovar-stables) — Arizona, US · Historic District - [Gallup Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gallup-commercial-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Garden of the Gods](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garden-of-the-gods) — Colorado, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/woodhouses-scrub-jay) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/woodhouses-scrub-jay)