The bird that looks like a Blue Jay but is gray is most likely a member of the Scrub-Jay family, commonly seen in the Western United States. These birds share the striking blue coloration of the familiar Blue Jay but feature a significant amount of gray on their bodies. This combination of blue and gray frequently leads to confusion with their eastern relative.
The Scrub-Jay Family: The Primary Match
The bird that looks like a Blue Jay but is gray is typically the California Scrub-Jay or the Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, both found west of the Rocky Mountains. The California Scrub-Jay, which inhabits the Pacific Coast region, displays rich azure blue on its head, wings, and tail. This vibrant blue is contrasted by a clean, pale underside and a prominent gray back and mantle, giving the bird its distinctive dual-toned look.
The Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, found in more arid, interior regions, has a similar pattern but with a dimmer blue and more extensive gray plumage. These birds are medium-sized, measuring around 10 to 12 inches in length, similar to the Blue Jay. They are permanent residents, thriving in oak woodlands, scrublands, and even suburban areas.
Key Distinctions from the Blue Jay
The primary difference between the gray-backed Scrub-Jay and the Blue Jay is the lack of a prominent head crest on the Scrub-Jay. The Blue Jay is recognizable by the tall, pointed crest that it can raise or lower. The Scrub-Jay replaces this feature with a rounded, crestless head, which changes the bird’s entire silhouette.
A second major distinction is the pattern of the Blue Jay’s black markings, specifically the distinct black necklace or collar across its chest. Scrub-Jays either lack this feature entirely or have only a subtle, partial blue necklace. The Blue Jay also features white markings and black barring on its wings and tail, while the Scrub-Jay’s blue wings and long, wedge-shaped tail tend to be a more uniform blue.
Other Gray Corvids: Regional Variations
Another potential gray corvid is the Canada Jay, formerly known as the Gray Jay, found in northern forests or high mountain ranges. This species is entirely dark gray above and light gray below, with a black patch on the back of its white head, and notably lacks any blue plumage. The Canada Jay is a stocky bird found across the boreal forests of North America, often earning the nickname “camp robber” due to its opportunistic feeding habits.
Another corvid possibility in the Western US is the Pinyon Jay, a highly social bird found in pinyon pine and juniper woodlands. This bird is almost uniformly dull blue-gray, with the most intense blue on its head. It lacks the contrasting white or black markings of the Blue Jay. Unlike the Scrub-Jay, the Pinyon Jay is a colonial nester, moving in large, noisy flocks.
Behavior and Vocalizations
Beyond visual cues, the vocalizations of the Scrub-Jay offer a distinct way to identify them. Scrub-Jays are known for their loud, abrasive, and often scolding calls, described as harsh or raspy. They use a variety of calls, including a distinctive, higher-pitched “weep” sound, for communication and territorial defense.
Blue Jays, in contrast, are known for their wide range of vocalizations, including loud squawks, whistles, and their ability to mimic the calls of raptors like the Red-shouldered Hawk. Both species are highly intelligent members of the corvid family and share the behavior of caching food, such as acorns and seeds, which they bury to retrieve later.