General

Brown Jay: Large, crestless jay with dark brown upperparts and paler brown underparts grading toward white under white-tipped tail. Head is darker brown with thick, black bill. Sexes are similar. Juvenile has yellow bill.

Range and Habitat

Brown Jay: Rare resident in extreme southern Texas; also found in the tropics. Preferred habitats include dense streamside woodlands and thickets.

Breeding and Nesting

Brown Jay: One to eight blue-gray eggs marked with brown are laid in a cup of twigs, usually built on a tree branch far out from the trunk. Incubation ranges from 18 to 20 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Brown Jay: Eats a wide variety of insects, small vertebrates, eggs, seeds, nuts, fruits, and berries; forages in trees, shrubs, and on the ground.

Readily Eats

Cracked Corn, Suet, Sunflower Seed

Vocalization

Brown Jay: Emits a shrill "pow" or "kreeow". Also makes a steady, repeated soft mewing.

Similar Species

Brown Jay: None in range.