This large, powerful bird is a member of the crow family. Its' strong beak enables
it to crack nutshells very adeptly. Bird identification is made easy by its size,
blue coloration, and long tail. Scrub Jays lay 3 to 5 eggs, which are spotted, in a
cup made of twigs hidden well in dense shrubbery or trees. Though the Scrub Jay tends
to be very quiet near its nest, it is outspoken elsewhere and simple to spot.
A glimpse of this bird through bird watching binoculars will show the birder that
Scrub Jays have a necklace-like marking around their neck. You may also observe
Scrub Jays taking a big hand in local ecology by burying many more acorns that they
consume, thus planting oak forests.
Scrub Jays are very territorial, only mildly social, and do rob other birds' nests.
This enables them to vary their diet as needed. Scrub Jays are excellent parents,
and patient bird watching will show you the young Scrub Jay being closely accompanied
by his parents wherever he goes. During such outings, their conversation, consisting of
constant, hoarse rasps from the young and more powerful squawks from the adults, is
interesting to listen to as the young demand to be fed. Easy to identify and memorable in
appearance, the Scrub Jay's common appearance in suburban gardens often makes it
one of the first birds which beginning bird watchers become familiar with.
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