Island Scrub Jay

The Island Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma insularis) also Island Jay or Santa Cruz Jay is a bird in the Aphelocoma (scrub jay) genus which is endemic to Santa Cruz Island off the coast of Southern California. It is closely related to the "California" Scrub Jay – the coastal population of Western Scrub Jay found on the adjacent mainland – but differs in being larger, more brightly colored, and having a markedly stouter bill. The large bill size is related to its diet, incorporating the thick-shelled acorns of the Island Oak (Quercus tomentella). They will bury, or cache, the acorns in the fall and may eat them months later. They also eat insects, spiders, snakes, lizards, mice and other birds' eggs and nestlings.

Read more about Island Scrub Jay:  Taxonomy, Distribution and Habitat, Conservation Status

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