Mexican jays are closely related to crows and magpies
Matt, Kenny, Nick, and I were descending from Emory Peak in Big Bend National Park when we came across this blue bird sitting in a tree. It was just a little bit above head height, as we were on switchback trails heading down a steep portion of the mountain. We later identified the bird as a Mexican Jay. I'm sure it must have felt famous as four people took out cameras and phones to take photos of such a stunning avian specimen.
The Mexican jay is identifiable by its blue head, back and wings; and gray chest and the underside of its neck. It is similar to other scrub-jays, which share the same genus as the Mexican jay, but you can distinguish the Mexican jay by the lack of a blue ring around the entirety of its neck. These birds are also closely related to crows and magpies who share the same family.
The Mexican Jay is only found in two locations in the United States: Southeastern Arizona/New Mexico and the Big Bend area of Texas. The species is found throughout much of Mexico. Interestingly there are many differences between the birds that are endemic to the United States and those of Mexico. The two populations differ in their calls, nesting behavior, the color of their eggs, and the color of the bills of their young. In terms of habitat, they are primarily found within oak-pines woods and open oak forests. They can be found in canyons and on the lower slopes of mountains. It was no coincidence that we saw this bird on our way down from Emory Peak.
Take a Closer Look
Depending on the elevation of this bird species, it will have either a straight bill or a hooked bill. The hooked bill is best suited for eating acorns, whereas the straight bill is best suited for eating pine nuts. Mexican jays at higher elevations have the straight bill which is seen in this photo.
Native to Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico
Did You Know?
- The scientific name of the Mexican jay is Aphelocoma wolweberi.
- They lay 1-6 eggs at a time. The young leave the nest about four weeks after hatching
- The Mexican jay tends to live in flocks. The flocks maintain and defend permanent territories that can last for multiple generations.
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