Western scrub jay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aphelocoma californica |
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The Western scrub jay (scientific name: Aphelocoma californica) is a smart and lively jay bird. You can find these birds in Western North America. They are known for their bright blue, gray, and white feathers. They often live in forests and woodlands. These birds spend a lot of time searching for food on the ground.
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Western Scrub Jay
Western scrub jays are part of the Corvidae family. This family also includes crows and ravens. They are known for being very intelligent. They can even remember where they hide their food.
What They Look Like
Western scrub jays are medium-sized birds. They are about 11 inches (28 cm) long. Their wingspan is around 15 inches (38 cm). They have a strong, pointed beak. Their head, wings, and tail are a bright blue color. Their back is gray-brown. Their belly is white. They also have a blue "necklace" on their chest.
Where They Live
These jays live in many different places. They are found from Washington state down to Baja California. They prefer areas with oak trees. This is because oak trees provide lots of acorns. You can also see them in gardens and parks. They like places with bushes and scattered trees.
What They Eat
Western scrub jays eat a wide variety of foods. They are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals.
- Plant foods: Their favorite food is acorns. They also eat nuts, seeds, and fruit. They will even eat corn from farms.
- Animal foods: They hunt for insects like hairy caterpillars, beetles, and wasps. They also eat spiders and even small lizards. Sometimes, they will eat eggs or baby birds from other nests.
They are very good at finding food. They often hide extra food for later. They remember thousands of hiding spots.
How They Live
Western scrub jays are active during the day. They are often seen alone or in pairs. They are known for their loud calls. These calls can sound like "shreeenk!" or "check-check-check!". They use different calls to warn others about danger. They are also very curious birds. They will often watch people from a distance.
Family Life and Reproduction
Western scrub jays form pairs that stay together. They build their nests in trees or tall bushes. The nest is usually a cup shape. It is made from twigs, roots, and mud. The inside is lined with soft materials.
The female jay lays about 3 to 6 eggs. The eggs are pale green or blue. They have brown spots. The female bird sits on the eggs to keep them warm. This is called incubation. It takes about 17 days for the eggs to hatch. Both parents help feed the baby birds. The young jays leave the nest after about 18 days. They stay with their parents for a few more weeks. The parents teach them how to find food.
Interesting Facts
- Western scrub jays are excellent at remembering things. They can remember where they buried thousands of acorns.
- They sometimes "trick" other birds. They pretend to hide food in one spot, then hide it somewhere else.
- They can recognize individual human faces. They remember if a person has been kind or threatening.
- These birds help plant new oak trees. They bury acorns and sometimes forget where they put them. These forgotten acorns can then grow into new trees.
