The island scrub jay, also known as the island jay or Santa Cruz jay, is a bird in the genus, Aphelocoma, which is endemic to Santa Cruz Island off the coast of Southern California. Of the over 500 breeding bird species in the continental U.S. and Canada, it is the only insular endemic landbird species, meaning it is restricted to a geographical island.
Region
Channel Islands of California
Typical Environment
This species is strictly confined to Santa Cruz Island, where it occupies oak woodlands, chaparral, and mixed coastal scrub. It is especially associated with coast live oak and island scrub oak stands, edges, and canyon riparian zones. Birds forage from ground level to mid-canopy and readily use ecotones between dense scrub and open patches. They may occur near human facilities on the island but avoid continuous, closed-canopy forests.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 750 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Island Scrub-Jay is the only insular endemic landbird in the contiguous United States, confined to Santa Cruz Island off Southern California. It is larger, heavier-billed, and a richer cobalt-blue than the California Scrub-Jay. Like many jays, it caches acorns, inadvertently aiding oak regeneration. Its tiny range makes it vulnerable to diseases such as West Nile virus and habitat change.
Temperament
bold and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with direct, low flights between cover
Social Behavior
Primarily forms long-term monogamous pairs that defend year-round territories. Nests are built in dense shrubs or small trees, typically oaks or chaparral, with clutches of 3–5 eggs. Family groups may persist post-fledging, and occasional helper behavior has been noted.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are dominated by harsh, scolding jay calls, including rasping shreeks and metallic chek notes. Birds also give softer whistles and murmured chatter during pair interactions and at the nest.
Plumage
Deep cobalt-blue head, wings, and tail with gray to grayish-white underparts and a whitish throat faintly streaked or bordered by blue forming a partial 'necklace'. The mantle is grayish and less brown than mainland scrub-jays. Feathers appear sleek with moderate gloss on the blue areas.
Diet
An opportunistic omnivore that eats acorns, insects and other arthropods, fruits, and occasionally small vertebrates or eggs. It caches acorns and other large food items in soil or leaf litter for later retrieval, a behavior that aids seed dispersal. Foraging includes probing bark, gleaning foliage, and ground scratching. Diet composition shifts seasonally, with more arthropods in spring and more acorns and fruits in fall and winter.
Preferred Environment
Forages along edges of oak woodland and chaparral, in canyons with scattered trees, and in open scrub with nearby cover. Often searches on the ground and in low to mid-level branches, using perches to scan before short flights to feeding spots.
