I saw this jailbird jay while out walking in Bend. It perched on a rock behind the heavy bars of a fence around the Hayden Homes Amphitheatre.
This is a California Scrub-jay. Here’s a closer look.
In 2016, the American Ornithological Union (AOU) split the Western Scrub-jay into two species, the California Scrub-jay, Aphelocoma californica, and Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay, Aphelocoma woodhouseii. They appear very similar. This post by Andy Birch describes and shows the characteristics of each species.
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Pretty blues, a lovely little bird :)
Yes, it was a beautiful shade of blue! :)
How sweet
Yes, it was a sweet bird, VJ. It let me get really close and never flew away.
Since the split I have not had a chance to check off the California version - definitely similar
That's a wonderful bird. Thanks for adding the link to field identification. The whole group of birds is new to me.
Thanks and you're welcome for the ID info. This bird let me get really close. Gorgeous blue color!
Beautiful Blue Bird 🐦 Anita
Yes, it was! 😁
Thanks for sharing this idea
I love these guys! Lucky you. ☺️
Yeah, they can be pretty entertaining! 😄