Species · GBIF taxon 5844900
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay
Aphelocoma woodhouseiiAlso known as Woodhouse's Jay, Rocky Mountain Scrub-Jay, Great Basin Scrub-Jay
Woodhouse's scrub-jays are highly intelligent, inquisitive corvids that form long-term monogamous pairs and defend permanent territories year-round. They possess a remarkable spatial memory, caching thousands of pinyon pine seeds and acorns each autumn and retrieving them with incredible accuracy throughout the winter. Their vocal repertoire is diverse, featuring harsh, rasping shriek calls that alert the entire woodland community to approaching predators.
IntelligentVocalAdaptable
Licensed referencePeter Wallack / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Omnivorous (seeds, nuts, insects, small vertebrates)
- family
- Corvidae
- threats
- Habitat fragmentation, climate change affecting pinyon pines, West Nile virus
- life Span
- 9 to 15 years
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Feeder Offerings: Provide whole peanuts, sunflower seeds, or suet to attract these curious birds to your yard.
- Watch for Caching: Observe their behavior after taking food, as they often fly off to bury it in nearby soil.
- Listen for Alarms: Pay attention to their harsh scolding calls, which often signal the presence of a hawk or owl.