Bird ID needed

[Doug Kerr]

A week ago this little blue guy visited our back yard in Alamogordo, N.M. (4575 ft MSL). We wonder if any of you folks could identify its species.

Carla C. Kerr: Little blue visitor 1

Carla C. Kerr: Little blue visitor 2

Carla C. Kerr: Little blue visitor 3​

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Maggie Terlecki]

Hi Doug,
I don't know anything about birds, but I'm a decent googler, and I found this bird that I believe is same as yours.

It's called a Woodhouse Western Scrub Jay. (Woodhouse's Scrub Jay, {Aphelocoma (californica) woodhouseii)

Here is a photo:
more info, scroll down to Woodhouse Western Scrub Jay

The beak appears to be the same, as does the tail and the legs. The little bits of white above the eye and the chest area appear to be the same. I did verify and it does inhabit the New Mexico area.

Again, I'm not an expert and someone may be able to give you a more definite answer.

 

[Doug Kerr]

Hi, Maggie,

Hi Doug,
I don't know anything about birds, but I'm a decent googler, and I found this bird that I believe is same as yours.

It's called a Woodhouse Western Scrub Jay. (Woodhouse's Scrub Jay, {Aphelocoma (californica) woodhouseii)

Here is a photo:
more info, scroll down to Woodhouse Western Scrub Jay

The beak appears to be the same, as does the tail and the legs. The little bits of white above the eye and the chest area appear to be the same. I did verify and it does inhabit the New Mexico area.

Again, I'm not an expert and someone may be able to give you a more definite answer.

Oh, that is almost certainly it.

Thanks so much. You are such a resource to us in so many ways.

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Maggie Terlecki]

Glad I could help.
Maggie

 

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Doug,
I don't know anything about birds, but I'm a decent googler, and I found this bird that I believe is same as yours.

It's called a Woodhouse Western Scrub Jay. (Woodhouse's Scrub Jay, {Aphelocoma (californica) woodhouseii)

Here is a photo:
more info, scroll down to Woodhouse Western Scrub Jay

The beak appears to be the same, as does the tail and the legs. The little bits of white above the eye and the chest area appear to be the same. I did verify and it does inhabit the New Mexico area.

Again, I'm not an expert and someone may be able to give you a more definite answer.

Hi Maggie,

I admire your detective skills!

Asher

 

[Don Cohen]

Maggie nailed it!

 

[Doug Kerr]

Hi, Don,

Maggie nailed it!

Thank you for your confirmation.

Carla is just thrilled to know the species of our little visitor. We see him (or a bird just like him) from time to time.

Best regards,

Doug