Finding Island Scrub-Jays in Channel Islands National Park

Jun 18

My first priority for my trip to Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park was to photograph island foxes, but my second priority was to find the island’s endemic species of scrub-jay. The Island Scrub-Jay only lives on Santa Cruz Island and nowhere else in the world!

The American Ornithologists Union (AOU) officially listed it as its own species (split off from the general species Scrub-Jay) in 1995 and the entire adult population is estimated at a few thousand adults. (This doesn’t mean that it only became its own species in 1995, but rather that enough research confirmed that it was its own species so we now officially recognize it as such.)

The National Park Service has published fascinating reading on Island Scrub-Jays that I recommend!

How to find Island Scrub-Jays

Although their extremely limited range and small population size makes Island Scrub-Jays one of the rarest songbirds, the fact that they are locally common in their limited range makes them easy to find.

I most commonly saw them around Scorpion Canyon Campground, which is a short walk from the pier so it should be no problem to find this special bird even if you are day-tripping for only a few hours. Like other corvids, they are highly interested in trying to find snacks campers may have left behind. (Foxes aren’t the only reason to secure your food!)

Their behavior is similar to the Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jays I am used to at home in Colorado, which was helpful in finding them. They are loud with big personalities and are not afraid of people. They like shrubby areas and open woodlands.

My top tip is to go to the campground and listen for their harsh, angry-sounding calls!