Enjoying the respite from the driving rain. Near Indian Crossing. In an Oak -- a Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) (?) -- just beginning to put out buds. 1/12/2023, 7:47 am.

Thanks to Craige Edgerton for the new common name:

"There is an organization (can't remember who now) that names birds. The reason for the name is that there is another Scrub jay in AZ that was thought to be the same as the Western Scrub Jay but genetics discovered it was different even if they looked almost exactly alike. That is now called the Woodhouse Scrub Jay as opposed to the CA Scrub Jay.


Naming is not only frustrating for you but all birders. Every year there are changes and almost all are based on new genetics. That's what makes birding fun!!!

Craige"