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Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma woodhouseii)
Birds Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)

General Description: Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma woodhouseii), formerly the interior subspecies of the Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica), are blue-and-gray jays without crests that live in the Great Basin region. The head, wings, and tail are blue. The upper back is brown, and the belly is gray. The throat and upper breast are white, bordered by blue to form what is referred to as a "necklace."

Recent genetic work (Gowen et al., 2014, BMC Evolutionary Biology 14:135) has shown that there are two species of "Western" Scrub-Jays: California, Woodhouse's, and perhaps a third in Southern Mexico. Around Las Vegas, we have Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay; and in the Pacific states, they have California Scrub-Jay. There is also an intergrade zone near Lake Tahoe.

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays, in comparison with California Scrub-Jays, are identified (on average) by pale blue plumage, small and pale blue collar, pale eyestripe, dark undertail coverts, and a small, straight bill. California Scrub-Jays, in comparison, have bold blue plumage, a large and dark blue collar, a bold eyestripe, pale undertail coverts, and a large, hooked bill.

Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)
Juvenile Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Taxonomy: Passeriformes, Corvidae.

Favored Habitat: Middle-elevation deserts and mountains. Common in the Pinyon-Juniper life zone.

Where to Find: Look for Scrub-Jays in the higher parts of Red Rock Canyon NCA such as Willow Springs Picnic Area, and look for them in the middle-elevation areas of Mt. Charleston and Basin and Range National Monument.

Comments: These are the noisy blue camp robbers seen at middle elevations.

Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) If you were a tasty bug or a ripe acorn, this might be the last face you ever see!
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)
Red Rocks during winter
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)
A leaf that might look like a corn chip
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)
Juvenile Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)Juvenile Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)
Juvenile Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)
Willow Spring at Red Rock Canyon NCA
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) more to come
Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240721
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