Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay
Aphelocoma woodhouseii
Also known as: Interior Western Scrub-Jay, Woodhouse's Jay
About This Species
Resident in arid scrubland, pinyon-juniper woodland and chaparral across the interior western United States and Mexico, where it forages low in shrubs and on the ground for insects, acorns and small vertebrates. Its harsh, scratchy calls and habit of perching conspicuously on shrub tops make it easy to locate even when not moving. Acorn-caching behaviour is most active in autumn, while pairs are most vocal and visible defending territory in spring.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- A confiding, bold species that often approaches people and picnic areas on its own, so ordinary birdwatching distance is generally sufficient without special caution.
- Avoid hand-feeding it, since habituation to people can increase conflict with humans and other wildlife.
- As with other native birds in the US, nests, eggs and young are protected under federal law, so keep well back from any active nest you find.
NEAvesPasseriformesCorvidae
Seasonal Activity
606,816 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Corvidae
Photo
(c) Greg Lasley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Greg Lasley
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.