Bird ID needed

[Doug Kerr]

Greetings,

Recently, on a walk just past the eastern edge of town here in Alamogordo, N.M. (just at the beginning of the Lincoln National Forest) we spotted this interesting small bird:

Douglas A. Kerr: Bird in the high desert​

We wondered if anybody here would recognize what it is.

Thanks.

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Don Cohen]

My guess would be Western Scrub Jay, although I wouldn't generally describe this species as a "small" bird (but it's all relative I guess!).

 

[Doug Kerr]

Hi, Don,

My guess would be Western Scrub Jay, although I wouldn't generally describe this species as a "small" bird (but it's all relative I guess!).

Thanks.

Probably I should not have said "small"; Carla says that it in fact could have been 9" - 11" in overall length.

Looking at various on-line pictures, I can't be sure which sub- and sub-subspecies. But based on the reported ranges and some other characteristics, it might well be A. californica woodhouseii nevadae.

Thanks again.

Best regards,

Doug