13 Types of Jays: Blue, Green, Gray & More Explained
Types of jays include Blue Jays, Steller’s Jays, Eurasian Jays, and more—each known for their vibrant colors, intelligence, and bold behavior. Found across North America, Europe, and Asia, jays thrive in forests, scrublands, and even backyards. This guide covers 13 jay species with ID tips, range, size, and unique traits.
What Makes Jays Unique?
Part of the Corvid Family
Jays are members of the corvid family, which includes some of the most intelligent birds on the planet. They exhibit problem-solving abilities, tool use, and even mimicry. Like crows, they are known for their curiosity and adaptability.
Where They Live
You’ll find jays in a wide range of environments—from tropical forests and alpine conifers to suburban parks. While most species are non-migratory, some adapt their range seasonally based on food availability.
Types of Jays (With Photos, Facts & Range)
1.Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)
- Found in: Eastern and Central North America
- Size: 9–12 inches (22–30 cm)
- Migration: Partial migrant
The Blue Jay is one of the most well-known birds in North America, thanks to its striking blue feathers, white underside, and bold black markings. These intelligent birds are often seen in pairs or family groups and are known for their noisy calls, especially their imitation of hawk cries. Blue Jays cache food like acorns and are frequently spotted in both wooded areas and suburban backyards.
2.Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)
- Found in: Western North America
- Size: 11–13 inches (28–33 cm)
- Migration: Mostly resident, may shift elevations in winter
This western cousin of the Blue Jay stands out with its vivid cobalt-blue body and black crested head. Steller’s Jays are curious and bold, often raiding picnic tables or campsites in search of food. They are common in coniferous forests and are known for their harsh, scratchy vocalizations. Their adaptability makes them a familiar sight from mountain trails to suburban feeders.
3.Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
- Found in: Europe, Asia, and North Africa
- Size: 13–15 inches (32–38 cm)
- Migration: Sedentary to short-distance migrant
Native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, the Eurasian Jay features a soft pinkish-brown body, black facial markings, and a bright blue patch on its wings. These shy forest dwellers play an essential role in spreading oak trees by burying acorns. Though secretive, they’re highly vocal and known to mimic a wide range of sounds—including human voices and predator calls.
4.Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas)
- Found in: Central and South America, southern Texas
- Size: 10–11 inches (25–28 cm)
- Migration: Non-migratory
With dazzling green, blue, and yellow feathers, the Green Jay looks like it belongs in a tropical paradise—and it does. Found in southern Texas and throughout Central America, these sociable birds move in flocks through scrublands and forests. They are opportunistic feeders, consuming insects, fruits, seeds, and even small vertebrates.
5.Gray Jay (Perisoreus canadensis)
- Found in: Canada and northern USA
- Size: 9–12 inches (23–30 cm)
- Migration: Non-migratory
Also called the Canada Jay or “whiskey jack,” this pale gray bird is known for its bold behavior and fondness for people. Common in boreal forests, the Gray Jay stores food in tree bark for the harsh winters. Friendly and quiet, they often approach campers looking for handouts and can survive extreme cold thanks to their thick feathers and food caching.
6.Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)
- Found in: Florida, USA
- Size: 9–11 inches (23–28 cm)
- Migration: Non-migratory
The only bird species endemic to Florida, the Florida Scrub-Jay is critically endangered due to habitat loss. It features soft blue and gray feathers and lives in tightly knit family groups. These birds are unique among jays for their cooperative breeding—offspring help raise their younger siblings. They rely heavily on scrub oak environments and are non-migratory.
See also: Woodpeckers in Florida for more birds native to the state.
7.Mexican Jay (Aphelocoma wollweberi)
- Found in: Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Mexico
- Size: 11–12 inches (28–30 cm)
- Migration: Non-migratory
The Mexican Jay is a social, medium-sized bird found in oak-pine woodlands of the southwestern United States and Mexico. It sports soft blue plumage across its head, wings, and back, with a contrasting pale gray or white belly. These birds live in tight-knit family groups and practice cooperative breeding, where older offspring help raise younger chicks. Their diet includes acorns, seeds, insects, and fruit, which they often cache for later. Because they don’t migrate, you can spot them year-round in their native range.
8.Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus)
- Found in: Western USA
- Size: 10–11 inches (25–28 cm)
- Migration: Nomadic
This jay species has a lighter blue body and a shorter tail than many of its cousins. Pinyon Jays live in large, noisy flocks and are deeply tied to pinyon pine forests in the western U.S. They rely on pinyon nuts for survival and are excellent at storing them for future use. Their movements are often nomadic, depending on where food is most plentiful.
Read also: 20 Types of Blue Birds
9.Siberian Jay (Perisoreus infaustus)
- Found in: Northern Europe and Siberia
- Size: 9–11 inches (23–28 cm)
- Migration: Non-migratory
The Siberian Jay is a discreet, gray-brown bird with hints of rusty orange on its wings and tail. Found in northern boreal forests, these birds are quiet and cautious, often staying hidden in the canopy. They live in monogamous pairs or small groups and feed on berries, insects, and scraps from predators. Their calm nature and loyalty to territory make them popular with forest watchers.
10.Brown Jay (Psilorhinus morio)
- Found in: Central America and southern Texas
- Size: 14–15 inches (36–38 cm)
- Migration: Non-migratory
Large and boisterous, the Brown Jay stands out with its dark brown body, white-tipped tail, and robust build. These birds are often seen in vocal flocks throughout Central America and southern Texas. Their diet is varied, ranging from fruit and seeds to insects and small vertebrates. Brown Jays are highly social and often engage in mobbing behavior to deter predators.
11.Black-throated Magpie-Jay (Calocitta colliei)
- Found in: Mexico
- Size: 15–16 inches (38–41 cm)
- Migration: Non-migratory
A showstopper of the jay world, the Black-throated Magpie-Jay features a long, elegant tail, bright blue upperparts, white underparts, and a bold black crest and throat. Native to northwestern Mexico, these birds are loud, curious, and highly social. They forage in groups and use a wide variety of calls to communicate. Their dramatic look makes them a favorite among birdwatchers.
Jay Species Comparison Table
| Jay Species | Region | Size | Migration |
| Blue Jay | Eastern/Central N. America | 9–12 in | Partial Migrant |
| Steller’s Jay | Western N. America | 11–13 in | Mostly Resident |
| Eurasian Jay | Europe/Asia/N. Africa | 13–15 in | Short-Distance |
| Green Jay | C. America/S. Texas | 10–11 in | Non-Migratory |
| Gray Jay | Canada/N. USA | 9–12 in | Non-Migratory |
| Florida Scrub-Jay | Florida | 9–11 in | Non-Migratory |
| Mexican Jay | SW USA/Mexico | 11–12 in | Non-Migratory |
| Pinyon Jay | Western USA | 10–11 in | Nomadic |
| Siberian Jay | N. Europe/Siberia | 9–11 in | Non-Migratory |
| Brown Jay | C. America/S. Texas | 14–15 in | Non-Migratory |
| Black-throated Magpie-Jay | Mexico | 15–16 in | Non-Migratory |
Jay Behavior & Vocalizations
Do All Jays Mimic Other Birds?
Many jays mimic predators like hawks to scare off competitors. The Blue Jay is especially known for this trick.
How Jays Store Food
Most jays cache food like acorns in the ground or bark, returning later thanks to excellent spatial memory.
Social and Family Life
Some jays, like the Florida Scrub-Jay and Mexican Jay, live in extended family groups that raise young cooperatively.
Where to Spot Jays in the Wild
- North America: Blue Jays, Steller’s Jays, Gray Jays
- Florida: Florida Scrub-Jay (endemic)
- Texas: Green Jay, Brown Jay
- Europe & Asia: Eurasian Jay, Siberian Jay
Use binoculars and bird apps to help identify local species. Early morning is often the best time to observe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are jays aggressive to other birds?
They can be territorial, especially around feeders or nests.
Do jays visit backyard feeders?
Yes. They love peanuts, sunflower seeds, and suet.
Are jays protected birds?
Some species like the Florida Scrub-Jay are legally protected.
What’s the smartest jay species?
Blue Jays and Eurasian Jays are among the smartest, known for mimicry and puzzle-solving.
Can you keep a jay as a pet?
No. In most places, it’s illegal to keep wild jays as pets.
