Scrub Jays watching over partners when eating; (3 Viewers)

[Avian-Avalanche!]

As more California scrub jays pair up in my area, I've noticed that; when I see one eating somewhere [say, perched on a branch trying to crack a nut] there's another scrub carefully watching from a higher perch, and when danger is noticed, they might screech, and both fly away... it's quite interesting when these birds do for each other! I'm sure other corvids engage in this lookout behavior, but I haven't seen it firsthand other than with these Scrubs!

 

[Montereyman]

With the quail feeding on my property a male guard quail will perch himself as high as he can to watch over the females and the new chicks.

 

[Avian-Avalanche!]

With the quail feeding on my property a male guard quail will perch himself as high as he can to watch over the females and the new chicks.

Ooo! this must be just normal family behavior then! I haven't ever been able to observe quails, only my beloved... scrub jays.

 

[Avian-Avalanche!]

Update: Earlier, noticed same pair on top of neighbor's roof, smaller scrub jay picking scraps from gutters and shingles, larger [only slightly] perched atop high point of roof!