Backyard Birding - Western Scrub Jay

These jerks are pretty common up here in the Bay Area, and throughout California as far as I've seen. You've probably heard them squawking and causing a ruckus from early in the morning til about sunset. Right about the time I started volunteering at the Center, I saw one attack and tear apart a Mourning Dove in the front yard. It was horrifiying and fascinating at the same time watching this beautiful bird commit such a violent act with such grace.

 

So there he is in all his colorful glory. The biggest jerk of the backyard (bigger then the hummer). Today I saw him pick numerous fights with the gentle, foraging California Towhees that frequent our yard. He barrelled in feet first, scared off the intruders, went to the suet feeder to grab a chunk, and promptly flew off. To me it seemed like he came into the yard and was plain annoyed at seeing them there and decided to scare them off for kicks. haha I love the attitude!

 

I love this shot because you can see his nictitating membrane (3rd eyelid)

 

The cautious Towhees tiptoed back into the yard a few minutes later to quickly pick up some dropped seed and booked it before risking another beating. The Western Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica) are known for their mischeivous streak and ours are certainly no different. We watch them pull seed out of the feeder and dump it all over the ground (which our foraging songbirds don't mind at all) and habitually make a cacophonous mess of the bird bath in the mornings. They are never boring to watch, that is for sure.

 

 

Scrub Jay are in the crow family (Corvidae) and as you might have guessed, these dudes are omnivorous, sticking to insects and fruit in the spring and summer and packing in the seed and nuts during the fall and winter. They'll also go after lizards and nestling birds and, ofcourse, the occassional vulnerable mourning dove or the like. Mating pairs stay together through the season, building the nest, and raising their brood of up to five offspring for about five months. They have some very interesting behavior when it comes to theivery and pilfering which you can read more about in the links below.

 

Here are a few more pics of our rather photogenic Western Scrub Jay.

 

Other links:

 

Having troubles with your jays dive bombing you or your loved ones? check out this link for more info on coexisting with jays and other members of the crow family.

 

Fun facts and more info about your neighborhood Scrub Jays.

 

This takes nerd to a whole new level (I know) but I like reading research papers so here's a link to a scientific journal which explains studies done on the psychology of Scrub Jays. It's actually pretty interesting if you can have the patience to read this type of writing.