Mexican Jay vs Blue Jay

Aphelocoma wollweberi compared with Cyanocitta cristata

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Mexican Jay Blue Jay
Scientific Name Aphelocoma wollweberi Cyanocitta cristata
Order Passeriformes Passeriformes
Family Corvidae Corvidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length 28.0 cm (11.0 in)
Wingspan 32.2 cm (12.7 in) 42.0 cm (16.5 in)
Weight 113.07499999999999 g (3.99 oz) 87.0 g (3.07 oz)
Diet -- Omnivorous — nuts (especially acorns), seeds, berries, insects, and occasionally eggs or nestlings of other …
Clutch Size 1-5 2-7
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Mexican Jay
Blue Jay 28.0 cm
Wingspan
Mexican Jay 32.2 cm
Blue Jay 42.0 cm
Weight
Mexican Jay 113.07499999999999 g
Blue Jay 87.0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Mexican Jay only

None

Blue Jay only

None

Blue Jay

Deciduous and mixed forests, parks, and suburban areas. Highly adaptable to human-modified landscapes.

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Song & Call Comparison

Mexican Jay

Blue Jay

Song

A harsh, ringing 'jaay-jaay-jaay'. Also mimics Red-tailed Hawk and other species convincingly. Gives soft, liquid 'bell' calls and gurgling whispers in flocks.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Mexican Jay

Blue Jay

Eastern and central North America from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast. Some populations migrate irregularly.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Mexican Jay

Least Concern

Blue Jay

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How to Tell Them Apart

Mexican Jay

Blue Jay

Plumage

Bright blue upperparts with black barring on the wings and tail. White face and underparts with a black necklace. Prominent blue crest.

Bill

Stout, straight black bill

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About These Birds

Blue Jay

The blue jay is a bold, intelligent member of the corvid family known for its striking plumage and loud calls. Blue jays are important dispersers of oak trees, as they cache thousands of acorns each autumn. Their complex social behavior includes mimicking the calls of hawks to scare other birds from feeders.

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Related Comparisons

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