Dark Blue Birds in California

Short answer

The most likely dark blue bird in California is the Steller’s Jay, especially if it has a black head and crest. Along the coast and in many lower-elevation yards, the blue bird you see is more often a California Scrub-Jay, which is a lighter blue with a gray-brown back.

Steller’s Jay

Steller’s Jay has a black head and crest with a deep blue body, wings and tail. It lives in conifer and mixed forests, including mountain areas, and may visit campgrounds and feeders. It is intelligent, noisy and bold. To compare it with the Blue Jay, our blue and black bird guide explains the differences.

Steller’s Jay facts

• It belongs to the crow and jay family.
• It is omnivorous: seeds, nuts, insects and berries, and it takes peanuts at feeders.
• Its crest rises when it is alert or excited.

California Scrub-Jay

California Scrub-Jays have a blue head, wings and tail, a pale throat with a blue necklace-like band, and a gray-brown back. They are common in oak woodland, chaparral, suburbs and parks. They are not crested.

Island Scrub-Jay

The Island Scrub-Jay lives only on Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands. It is a deeper blue and larger than the mainland species. You will not see it elsewhere.

Other deep blue birds you may see

• Pinyon Jay: A gray-blue, flock-living bird of pinyon-juniper country, uncrested.
• Purple Martin: Males are dark glossy blue-black; found in limited parts of the state in summer.
• Swallows: Tree, Violet-green, Barn and Cliff Swallows show blue backs but are shaped for flight.
• Lazuli Bunting and Blue Grosbeak: Small to medium and blue in summer. See types of bluebirds in California and lookalikes for more.

Are there Blue Jays in Yosemite?

Blue Jays are an eastern species and are not expected in Yosemite. A blue bird with a crest there is almost certainly a Steller’s Jay. Rare wandering Blue Jays have been reported in the West, but it would be unusual.

Most common blue bird in California

In many areas, the California Scrub-Jay and Western Bluebird are among the more commonly seen blue birds, depending on habitat. Steller’s Jays are widespread in forested uplands.

Quick comparison

For a broader view, see the list of birds that are blue.