Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays are medium-sized birds of the corvid family, a group known for their gregarious behavior and intelligence. They live in the western United States and down into central parts of Mexico. They live in inland forest habitats. In late 2016 the species Western Scrub-Jay was split by many taxonomic authorities into the Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay and the California Scrub-Jay.
These jays are known for their inquisitive and social nature. They often live in pairs or small family groups and communicate with a variety of calls and vocalizations. Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays are excellent at caching food, particularly acorns, which they hide in the ground or in trees.
Like many other corvid species, Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays cache surplus food for future use. They may also steal food from other bird caches and take measures to protect their own food stores from theft by other birds. Their impressive memory allows them to retrieve these hidden stores throughout the year, which is crucial for their survival during winter.
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays inhabit arid woodlands, scrublands, and open forests, particularly areas with plenty of oak trees. They build their nests in trees or shrubs, using twigs, leaves, and other plant materials. These birds are omnivores, feeding on a varied diet that includes insects, fruits, nuts, and small animals.
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