Mexican Jay Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay
Adult (Woodhouse's)
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays have a blue necklace that Mexican Jays lack. They are also brighter blue than Mexican Jays, which appear paler gray-blue.
© Chris Wood | Macaulay LibraryColorado, November 22, 2012Similar Species
California Scrub-Jay
Adult
California Scrub-Jays have a white eyebrow and paler whitish underparts than Mexican Jays.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 02, 2011Similar Species
Pinyon Jay
Adult
Pinyon Jays have a shorter tail than Mexican Jays. They also are more uniformly dusky blue, whereas Mexican Jays are brighter blue with a contrasting gray back.
© David Hollie | Macaulay LibraryColorado, June 06, 2010Main Species
Mexican Jay
Adult (Arizona)
Large songbird with long tail and heavy bill. Adults are blue with a gray patch on the back and dingy gray underparts. The intensity of blue varies across their range; birds in Arizona tend to be paler blue.
© Mauricio López | Macaulay LibraryNuevo León, February 04, 2019Adult (Arizona)
Lacks a crest, has an all-blue back, and no necklace across the chest.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryApril 17, 1997Not all videos have sound
Adult
Medium-sized crestless jay with dingy gray underparts. Often seen hopping on the ground while foraging for insects and stored acorns.
© Liam Ragan | Macaulay LibraryArizona, December 29, 2019Juvenile (Arizona)
Juveniles look like adults but have a pale bill. Juveniles in Arizona have a pale bill for 2 years before they acquire the dark bill of adults.
© Jim Zenor | Macaulay LibraryArizona, March 20, 2020Habitat
Found in pine, oak, and juniper woodlands.
© Holger Teichmann | Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 24, 2018Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Crows, Jays, and Magpies(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Corvidae)
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