The squirrels came first and ate a few and then the scrub jays and a lone stellar Jay. They eat small insects and berries whole, but carry larger prey … They have a preference for beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. Three species of Scrub-Jay can be found in the United States, but only one, Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, resides in Texas. The consumption of caterpillars is especially beneficial during seasons when there are caterpillar infestations, such as gypsy moths. Blue Jays will eat a variety of insects. Western Scrub-Jay. Audubon; April 19, 2015 – Status: Fairly common year-round resident in shrub communities, primarily at the base of the foothills. Western scrub-jays are social birds that are active during the day. Habitat. The Florida scrub-jay is the only species of bird that is endemic to Florida. Additionally they like to eat corn, grains, berries, seeds, insects, and peanuts. They readily come to backyard bird feeders. Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay prefer the montane pine forests of the American Southwest and far west Texas, but their range extends into the eastern Edwards Plateau and central Texas, where they live in juniper-oak woodlands. The blue jay will whip the caterpillar around to remove the undesirable bristles and then swallow it down. They are faster and braver than the squirrels. What Foods Do They Eat? Steller’s and Western Scrub-Jays are a non-migratory, year-round residents in their range. They also will band together with other scrub-jays … – Populations: Historically, Colorado scrub-jays were reported primarily in scrub-oak woodlands, primarily on the Western Slope. Pairs of California Scrub-Jays are often seen swooping across clearings, giving harsh calls, with their long tails flopping in flight. And they are quicker and pushier than the stellar jay. Blue jays have very strong black bills, which can crack nuts and acorns. One species, the Unicolored Jay, is blue all over.Some species have a white stripe above the eye and dark ear feathers. Scrub-jays are known to jealously guard food sources, diving at birds that venture into the area and issuing loud, angry sounding shrieks. What Do Blue Jays Eat? Florida Scrub-Jays also eat peanuts provided by people. Western scrub-jays store food in scattered caches within their territories and are able to … Most of the Scrub Jay's head is a rich deep blue (the top of the head, the nape, and the sides of the head). I could only find peanuts on my way. Blue Jays are known to occasionally migrate, but the phenomenon is not well understood. Florida Scrub-Jays hop along the ground between shrubs looking for insects, acorns, berries, and small vertebrates such as snakes, mice, and lizards. The scrubs cleaned up half a pound of peanuts. 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