Crows and jays (Corvidae)

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma woodhouseii. Piñon nuts, acorns, insects and fruit.

Crows and jays (Corvidae)Woodhouse's Scrub-JayAphelocoma woodhouseii
Scientific name
Aphelocoma woodhouseii
Length
11–11.8 in
Weight
2.8–3.5 oz
Nest
Twig cup in junipers and oaks
Entrance hole
Does not use nest boxes
Clutch
2–7 eggs
Incubation
15–17 days
Broods
1 per season

Identification

  • Dull blue head and wings
  • Grey-brown back
  • Faint, blurry breast band

Voice

Rough, rising 'shreep'.

Diet and feeding

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays by state and province

RegionStatusNesting
ArizonaYear-round residentMarch–June
ColoradoYear-round residentApril–June
IdahoYear-round residentApril–June
NevadaYear-round residentApril–June
New MexicoYear-round residentApril–June
OklahomaYear-round residentApril–June
OregonYear-round residentApril–June
TexasYear-round residentMarch–June
UtahYear-round residentApril–June
WyomingYear-round residentMay–June

Frequently asked

What do Woodhouse's scrub-jays eat?

Piñon nuts, acorns, insects and fruit. At feeders: peanuts, sunflower.

How big is a Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay?

11–11.8 in long and 2.8–3.5 oz.

Do Woodhouse's scrub-jays use birdhouses?

No. Twig cup in junipers and oaks.

Sources

  1. Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay — Audubon Guide to North American Birds

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.