Blue jays are one of the most common wild birds in the United States. The mesmerizing color and the little crown on its head make them unique. But, there are a few birds (mostly Jays) that can easily make you confused with blue jays.
So, what are those birds that look like blue jays? The most common birds with similar appearances are Mountain Bluebird, Indigo Bunting, Steller’s Jay, California Scrub-Jay, Canada Jay, Green Jay, Florida Scrub-Jay, Woodhouse Scrub-Jay, Pinyon Jay, and Mexican Jay.
In today’s blog, we will talk about these blue jay’s like birds, their characteristics, their main similarities with blue jays, and how you can differentiate them. In BirdsAdvice, we have covered a few more blogs you may interest in.
Previously, we covered a few more articles on some other birds. Those may pick interest too. You can check them here:
- Birds look like Chickens
- Birds look like cedar waxwing
- Birds look like Bluebirds
- 5 Reasons Birds Flying In Circles
1. Mountain Bluebird
As the name suggests, it’s a small migratory thrush from the mountain territory. The Mountain Bluebirds can be found in Western North America’s mountain districts, grasslands, and spread out trees and shrubs areas. These species migrate to Mexico and western Canada during the winter.
#Characteristics
- Mountain Bluebird is a small bird with an average of 16 to 20 cm in length.
- The adult male is bright sky-blue on the above.
- The underneath is much lighter with a little white.
- It has a round head and a thin bill.
- The female and immature mountain blues are gray-brown.
- And their belly colors vary in different ages.
#Similarities
The blue color on the Mountain Bluebird is notable, just like the Blue Jay. Both of their heads are covered with blue color. And the underparts of these species are mixed of light blue and white.
#Differences
The prominent blue is on the Blue Jay is more eminent than mountain blue. Also, the mountain blue is a smaller bird than the other. The Blue doesn’t have any crest like the Blue Jay.
The bold black necklace of the Blue Jay is absent on the mountain blue. A few white and black tints on the above of Blue Jay are absent on the mountain blue. The Mountain Blue is overall almost blue.
2. Indigo Bunting
The small Indigo Bunting is a migratory bird from the Cardinal family. This bird can be found in South American territory during the winter. And their preferred living places are brush areas, woodland, farmlands, and forest edges. However, Indigo Bunting’s breeding areas are Florida. Texas, and Canada.
#Characteristics
- Indigo Bunting is a small bird with an average length of 12 to 14 cm.
- It’s a stocky bird with a conical bill and comparatively short tail.
- Adult Indigo Bunting is overall bright Blue with indigo on the head.
- There are a few black spots on the wings and tail.
- Also, a few cerulean blue edges on the chest, wings, and tails can be noticed.
#Similarities
The Blue Jay and the Indigo Bunting both are overall blue. Their head, wings, and tails are covered in rich blue. Another common thing between these two is the black color’s appearance on the wings and tails.
#Differences
The major difference between the Blue Jay and Indigo Bunting is their size. Blue Jay is twice as the Bunting. The black necklace and the crest on the Blue are also absent on the Indigo Bunting.
The underparts, throat, and face of the Blue Jay are mostly white. But the Indigo Bunting is mostly blue with a few grey tints.
3. Steller’s Jay
The Steller’s Jay is a comparatively large bird species. This bird is native to the mountains of Central America and the western territory of North America. Steller’s Jay is closely related to Blue Jay. It prefers the areas like evergreen forests, parks, and backyards for living.
#Characteristics
- It’s comparatively a large bird species with an average of 32 to 35 cm in length.
- Steller’s Jay has a chunky body with a large head.
- The tail is long, and the wings are rounded.
- The hefty black crest on its head is very identical.
- The color distributions are half charcoal and half blue.
#Similarities
The average length of the Blue Jay and steller’s Jay is close to each other. Both of them have an identical crest on their head. The prominent Blue on the Steller’s Jay is extended from the middle part of the body to the tail. Both of their tails are round-shaped.
#Differences
The crest on the Steller’s Jay is much larger and upward than the Blue Jay. The affluence of the black color on the Steller’s Jay is quite identical. The Blue Jay is mostly blue and white with a black necklace. Also, the Steller’s Jay is comparatively a larger bird species than the Blue Jay.
4. California Scrub-Jay
The California Scrub-Jay is a medium-large bird native to western North America. Southern British Columbia, western Nevada, and California are the usual places to find them. They prefer oak woodlands, backyards, pastures, and orchards for living.
#Characteristics
- The California Scrub-Jay is comparatively a medium-large songbird.
- It’s a chunky bill and long tail.
- It has rich and bright Blue with a little mix of grey on the above.
- And the lower parts are light white that extends from the throat to until tail.
- Juveniles are mostly gray with bits of blue on its tail.
#Similarities
The Blue Jay and the California Scrub-Jay are quite similar in length. Both of their upper sides are rich in blue. And the lower body parts are lighter. The heads of these species are blue also.
#Differences
The most identical difference between the Blue Jay and the California Scrub-Jay is the prominent crest on the Blue Jay. The grey portion of the California Jay is absent on the Blue Jay.
The necklace on the California Scrub-Jay is blue, and it is black on the Blue Jay. The face appearance of these two species is different too.
5. Canada Jay
Another member of the family of Jay that has similarities with our Blue Jay is Canada Jay. It’s a passerine bird found in New Mexico, Arizona, and spread throughout northern North America. The Canad Jay prefers boreal forest and high mountain areas.
#Characteristics
- It’s a round-headed, comparatively large songbird.
- The Canada jay has a short bill and long tail.
- The wings are round and broad.
- Adult Canada Jays are overall grey with pale white on the throat and lower body.
- The juveniles are overall dark grey.
#Similarities
The Canada Jay and Blue Jay have similar body lengths. Both of the bird species have pale lower body parts. And the bills are conical. Like the Blue Jay, Canda Jay has the same color pattern around the throat, face, and the above.
#Differences
There are very few similarities between these two bird species. Except for the length and color pattern, there is nothing very similar between these two. The Canada Jay is overall black and white with a mix of grey.
And the Blue has a beautiful crest above its head. That isn’t the case for the Canda Jay. The bill of the Canda Jay is shorter than the Blue Jay.
6. Green Jay
The Green Jay is part of the new world jay species. This bird is native to southern Texas, Honduras, and other Central American areas. The Green Jay prefers thickets, parks, and woodland areas for living.
#Characteristics
- The Green Jay is a medium-large bird with an average length of 29 cm.
- It’s a sturdy jay without a crest.
- It has bright green above with blue on the face and above the head.
- It also has black extending from the face to the throat.
- The thick straight bill with a rounded tail is identical.
- And the legs are comparatively large, and the wings are broad.
#Similarities
Although both Blue Jay and Green Jay are from the Jay family, there are only a few similarities between them. Both of them have blue color on their head. Also, the average length of these birds is the same as well. The glimpse of black on the face is identical too.
#Differences
The Green Jay overall gree. While the Blue Jay is mainly blue. The black throat and face of green Jay are different from the other. The Blue Jay has white and light blue below. And the Green Jay has light green in lower parts.
The Blue Jay’s prominent crest is absent on the green Jay. Also, the legs are longer, and the body shape is more slender than the Blue Jay.
7. Florida Scrub-Jay
The Florida Scrub-Jay is a member of the scrub jay native to the North American Territory. They’re also known as Florida Scrub-Jay as this bird species specially lives in Florida. You will find them in low-growing oak and scrubby Flatwoods.
#Characteristics
- The Florida Scrub-Jay has an average length of 25-28 cm.
- It’s a large and sturdy body shape.
- Their legs are hefty, and their tail is long.
- The adults are overall dull blue.
- There is pale grey on its back and the below parts of its body.
- The forehead is quite whitish.
#Similarities
The Florida Scrub-Jay and Blue Jay are quite similar in length. Also, both of their head and upper parts are affluent in Blue. Down body parts are pale-colored on both bird species. Both of their tails are long too.
#Differences
The blue color on the Blue is brighter than the Florida Scrub-Jay. And the distinctive crest on the Blue Jay is absent on the Florida Scrub-Jay. Also, the below part is pale grey of Florida, while the Blue Jay is more whitish.
The beautiful black necklace on the Blue lacks the Florida Scrub-Jay. Also, there are a few white and black spots on the wings and tails of the blue Jay that aren’t the same for the other.
8. Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
The Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay is a common bird species around Southeastern Oregon, Central Mexico, southern Idaho and mostly lives in the North American west parts of the southern scrub-brush, rocky mountains, temperate forests, and boreal forests.
#Characteristics
- The Woodhouse’s scrub-jay is an average-sized bird with a 26-31 cm length.
- It has a mild blue and gray above.
- The white throat and grayish belly are identical.
- It also has a partial blue breast band.
- This lanky bird has a long tail and a chunky bill.
#Similarities
The Woodhouse’s scrub-jay and blue Jay are similar in the blue color above their body. Both of these species have a breast band and white-colored throat. The tails are the same size too. The below parts are pale white or gray, which may confuse you with one another.
#Differences
Even though they both are blue, the Blue Jay is brighter than the Woodhouse’s scrub jay. Their breast band color is different from each other. The Blue Jay has white and black spots on the wings and tails.
The tail and wings of the Woodhouse’s scrub-jay are mostly light Blue. And the face of the Blue Jay has black stripes. But the Woodhouse’s scrub jay’s face and head are covered with light Blue.
9. Pinyon Jay
The Pinyon jay is another member of the Jay family that has similarities with our Blue Jay. This bird species are residents from southwestern Dacota, central Oregon, a few areas of Arizona, California, western Oklahoma, and central New Mexico.
#Characteristics
- The Pinyon Jay is a medium-sized bird with an average of 25-30 cm in length.
- It is overall dull Blue without any crest.
- The sharp and pointed bill is very identical on this species.
- The chest and throat areas have a whitish tint.
- Sometimes it looks like a small crow with a short tail.
#Similarities
The Blue Jay and Pinyon Jay comparatively have similar lengths. Even though the Pinyon Jay has lighter Blue, the dominance of light Blue is quite visible, just like the other one. Both of their head, upper bodies, wings have dominance of the Blue.
#Differences
The Pinyon Jay is much lighter than the Blue Jay. The bill of Pinyon is much longer too. The color is much brighter for the Blue Jay. Also, the beautiful black necklace on the Blue Jay is unique.
The face of the Pinyon Jay is mostly blue with tints of grey around the eyes. The lower parts are mostly white and blue shade on the blue, while the pinyon jays are pale or blue-gray.
10. Mexican Jay
The Mexican Jay is a new world jay species that can be found in the southwestern united states, Sierra Madre Occidental, Central Plateau of Mexic, and the Sierra Madre Oriental. They prefer pine-oak-juniper woodlands, high mountain ridges, and similar places for living.
#Characteristics
- The Mexican Jay is a medium-sized bird 25-30 cm in length.
- It has a long tail and a short neck.
- The bill of the Mexican Jay is heavy and pointed.
- Adult Mexican Jay’s are blue with a gray patch above.
- It has dingy gray underparts.
#Similarities
The richness of blue on the above and back is similar to the Blue Jay. And both of the species have whitish underparts. The blue Jay and Mexican Jay have a white throat. Moreover, both of their bills are thick and black.
#Differences
The blue Jay has one of the brightest blue colors. It has a beautiful crest that is absent on the Mexican Jay. The black necklace and the black and white spots on the tail and wings are absent on the Mexican Jay.
The black spots on the Blue Jay’s face are also different from the Mexican Jay. The underparts are mostly gray for the Mexican Jay. In contrast, the Blue Jay’s is mostly white or a little mix of Blue.
Final Words
The nice black necklace and the prominent crest make blue jays more attractive. But a few birds, such as mostly jay species, mountain bluebirds, and indigo buntings, can make you confuse them with the Blue Jay.
Even though these birds have similar appearances to Blue Jay, you can easily differentiate them with a little attention and observation. By the way, we hope you have learned a lot about this topic. Thanks for reading!
Image Sources: Canva/photos