The Western Scrub-Jay was split into 2 species over the summer of 2016. The California Scrub-Jay is found west of the Sierras and the Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay east of the Sierras making 11 Jay species in North America. I have seen 7 of the 11 species. All the Jays I have encountered are very approachable and therefore make great subjects.
Photo of the Week 44: California Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica) - Boulder Creek, SCZ (CA)
EQ: D800, 300mm f/2.8 Taken: 10-17-2015 at 11:25
Settings: 300 mm (35mm eqiv), 1/800s, f/4.0, ISO320, +1/3EV Conditions: Overcast
California Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica) - Arana Gulch, SCZ (CA)
EQ: D7200, 300mm f/2.8 Taken: 11-12-2015 at 9:47
Settings: 450 mm (35mm eqiv), 1/640s, f/5.0, ISO250, +1/3EV Conditions: Sunny/shade
The bill of the California Scrub-Jay is stout and hooked perfectly suited to open acorns in their oak woodland habitats. The Woodhouse's have thinner pointed bill which is better for pulling pine nuts from pinyon pine cones.
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma woodhouseii), Jumbo Grade, WAS (NV)
EQ: D7200, 500mm f/4.0 Taken: 10-5-2016 at 9:43
Settings: 750 mm (35mm eqiv), 1/1600s, f/5.0, ISO320, +1/3EV Conditions: Sunny
The very social Pinyon Jay is usually found in large flocks and specialize on feeding on pine seeds. Like other birds of the family Corvidae, Jays are very intelligent and individuals have excellent spatial memories allowing them to find their cache of seeds months later even through snow.
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) - Carson City CBC Area 2a, LYO (NV)
EQ: D7200, 300mm f/2.8 Taken: 12-18-2016 at 12:19
Settings: 450 mm (35mm eqiv), 1/3200s, f/4.5, ISO640, +1/3EV Conditions: Sunny
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) - Silver Saddle Ranch, CAR (NV)
EQ: D7200, 500mm f/4.0 Taken: 11-10-2016 at 10:46
Settings: 750 mm (35mm eqiv), 1/1250s, f/5.6, ISO250, +1/3EV Conditions: Sunny
The Steller’s Jay is common in forests and wooded landscapes. They are very vocal and mimic other birds like the Red-shoulder and Red-tail Hawks. I have seen them harass a Sharp-shinned Hawks and I counted 65 chasing one but when a Cooper's Hawk is in the area complete silence.
Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) - Boulder Creek, SCZ (CA)
EQ: D800, 300mm f/2.8 Taken: 1-22-2016 at 13:59
Settings: 300 mm (35mm eqiv), 1/400s, f/2.8, ISO1100, +1/3EV Conditions: Rain
The Blue Jay is very common and is a large songbird that can be found all over North America except for the southwest. Thousands migrate in flocks along the Great Lakes and Atlantic coasts, but much about their migration remains a mystery. Some individual jays migrate south one year, stay north the next winter, and then migrate south again the next year. No one has worked out why they migrate when they do. I saw this Jay in the winter at Barr Lake in Colorado.
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) - Barr Lake SP, Adams Co. (CO)
EQ: D7100, 70-200mm f/4.0 Taken: 2-26-2015 at 12:35
Settings: 300 mm (35mm eqiv), 1/500s, f/5.6, ISO100, +2/3EV Conditions: Snow
The cute Gray Jay is one of the most fearless birds in North America, living in northern forests year-round and rearing chicks in the dark of winter. Always looking for food and during summer they hoard food in trees to sustain themselves through the cold winter months. On a trip to Oregon at the south end of Crater Lake I saw my first one. Of the 11 North America species, I need to find 4 more so I guess a trip to the Southwest and Texas will be coming soon..
Gray Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) - Crater Lake NP , Klamath Co. (OR)
EQ: D7200, 300mm f/2.8 Taken: 10-1-2016 at 13:08
Settings: 450 mm (35mm eqiv), 1/1000s, f/3.5, ISO500, +1/3EV Conditions: Overcast with Snow
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Reference source Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds (www.allaboutbirds.org/)