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;[[:Category:Aphelocoma|Aphelocoma]] insularis | ;[[:Category:Aphelocoma|Aphelocoma]] insularis | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | 33cm. A | + | Length 33cm, wingspan 42-44 cm, weight 100-145 g. A medium-sized, crestless and long-tailed jay: |
* Broad head | * Broad head | ||
* Ultramarine-blue crown, nape, upperwing and tail | * Ultramarine-blue crown, nape, upperwing and tail | ||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
* Brown iris | * Brown iris | ||
Sexes similar. Juveniles are brownish-grey, immatures have edged brown greater primary coverts. | Sexes similar. Juveniles are brownish-grey, immatures have edged brown greater primary coverts. | ||
| + | |||
====Similar Species==== | ====Similar Species==== | ||
| − | Distinguished from the mainland [[Western Scrub Jay]] by its darker and more conspicuous blue uppersides, blue undertail coverts and long, heavy bill. Forty percent heavier than Western Scrub Jay, the closest relative in distance and | + | Distinguished from the mainland [[Western Scrub Jay]] by its larger size, darker and more conspicuous blue uppersides, blue undertail coverts and long, heavy bill. Forty percent heavier than California populations of Western Scrub Jay, the closest relative in distance and ancestry. Voice is also distinctive. |
| + | |||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | Endemic to Santa Cruz Island in [[Channel Islands National Park]], [[California]]. | + | Endemic to Santa Cruz Island in [[Channel Islands National Park]], [[California]]. The population is still healthy but the small range is a potential risk. |
| − | The population is still healthy but the small range is a potential risk. | + | |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | Monotypic. | + | Monotypic. Formerly considered a subspecies of Scrub Jay ''A. coerulescens'' with [[Western Scrub Jay]] and [[Florida Scrub Jay]]. |
| − | Formerly considered a subspecies of Scrub Jay ''A. coerulescens'' with [[Western Scrub Jay]] and [[Florida Scrub Jay]]. | + | |
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Open oak woodland. | Open oak woodland. | ||
| + | |||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
Includes acorns of the Island Oak (''Quercus tomentella''); acorns are hidden for winter food. During spring and summer it takes mainly invertebrates and small vertebrates, birds eggs and nestlings. | Includes acorns of the Island Oak (''Quercus tomentella''); acorns are hidden for winter food. During spring and summer it takes mainly invertebrates and small vertebrates, birds eggs and nestlings. | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | Breeding season from May to June. Monogamous without helpers. The bulky nest is made of oak twigs and placed 2 - 3m above the ground in a bush or tree. Lays 2 - 5 eggs. Has a long incubation and nestling period. | + | Breeding season from May to June. Monogamous without helpers. The bulky nest is made of oak twigs and placed 2-3m above the ground in a bush or tree. Lays 2-5 eggs. Has a long incubation and nestling period. |
====Vocalizations==== | ====Vocalizations==== | ||
Distinctive metallic call is deeper than in [[Western Scrub Jay]] | Distinctive metallic call is deeper than in [[Western Scrub Jay]] | ||
| + | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
#{{Ref-Clements6thDec09}}#{{Ref-HBWVol14}}#[http://birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=1900320 Birdforum thread] discussing the scrub jays | #{{Ref-Clements6thDec09}}#{{Ref-HBWVol14}}#[http://birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=1900320 Birdforum thread] discussing the scrub jays | ||
Revision as of 11:19, 11 July 2016
Alternative name: Santa Cruz Jay
- Aphelocoma insularis
Identification
Length 33cm, wingspan 42-44 cm, weight 100-145 g. A medium-sized, crestless and long-tailed jay:
- Broad head
- Ultramarine-blue crown, nape, upperwing and tail
- White chin, throat and upper breast
- Blue collar below throat nearly complete
- Black face with thin white supercilium
- Dark brownish-grey upperparts with blue tinge
- Greyish lower breast and below
- Disprportionately large black bill
- Brown iris
Sexes similar. Juveniles are brownish-grey, immatures have edged brown greater primary coverts.
Similar Species
Distinguished from the mainland Western Scrub Jay by its larger size, darker and more conspicuous blue uppersides, blue undertail coverts and long, heavy bill. Forty percent heavier than California populations of Western Scrub Jay, the closest relative in distance and ancestry. Voice is also distinctive.
Distribution
Endemic to Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park, California. The population is still healthy but the small range is a potential risk.
Taxonomy
Monotypic. Formerly considered a subspecies of Scrub Jay A. coerulescens with Western Scrub Jay and Florida Scrub Jay.
Habitat
Open oak woodland.
Behaviour
Diet
Includes acorns of the Island Oak (Quercus tomentella); acorns are hidden for winter food. During spring and summer it takes mainly invertebrates and small vertebrates, birds eggs and nestlings.
Breeding
Breeding season from May to June. Monogamous without helpers. The bulky nest is made of oak twigs and placed 2-3m above the ground in a bush or tree. Lays 2-5 eggs. Has a long incubation and nestling period.
Vocalizations
Distinctive metallic call is deeper than in Western Scrub Jay
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
- Birdforum thread discussing the scrub jays
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Island Scrub Jay. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Island_Scrub_Jay
