---
title: "All About Birds: Western Scrub-Jay"
---

[![cornell lab](https://dl.allaboutbirds.org/hs-fs/hub/95627/file-292886470.png?width=527&height=99&name=file-292886470.png "cornell lab")](http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Page.aspx?pid=1478)

## Western Scrub-Jay

## ![WESJAY_2592x1944_Dr_Jeffrey_Rogers](https://dl.allaboutbirds.org/hs-fs/hub/95627/file-277850755.jpg)

 © Jeffrey Rogers

| ![what_they_eat](https://dl.allaboutbirds.org/hs-fs/hub/95627/file-219239072.jpg?width=106&height=182&name=file-219239072.jpg) | **What they eat:** Western Scrub-jays eat mostly insects and fruit during spring and summer and switch to nuts and seeds during fall and winter. At platform, ground, and large hopper feeders, they prefer sunflower seeds and peanuts. |
| --- | --- |
| ![how_they_sound](https://dl.allaboutbirds.org/hs-fs/hub/95627/file-218885748.jpg?width=194&height=182&name=file-218885748.jpg "how_they_sound") | **Where they live:** These birds live in scrub, open woodlands, and suburban yards throughout portions of the western United States and Mexico. |
| **![where_they_live](https://dl.allaboutbirds.org/hs-fs/hub/95627/file-219130301.jpg?width=93&height=79&name=file-219130301.jpg "where_they_live")** | **Did you know? **Western Scrub-jays are sneaky. They steal food from other birds and hide their loot, making sure no other jays see them do it! |
| **![did_you_know](https://dl.allaboutbirds.org/hs-fs/hub/95627/file-218887603.jpg?width=118&height=87&name=file-218887603.jpg)** | **How they sound: **Western Scrub-jays give over 20 separate types of calls, including a weep sound, a bell-like *shlenk*, and a quiet *kuk* sound. |

 

**![sound](https://dl.allaboutbirds.org/hs-fs/hub/95627/file-230263965.jpg?width=20&height=16&name=file-230263965.jpg) [Listen to the Western Scrub-Jay](https://dl.allaboutbirds.org/hs-fs/hub/95627/file-290257588.mp3?hsLang=es).**

** **

**To learn more, visit the Cornell Lab's free website: [www.allaboutbirds.org](http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Scrub-Jay/id).**

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