One bird, now two!

As many of you might know, the actual number of bird species in the world is a fluctuating number. The coordinating organization, American Ornithologists’ Union is constantly reviewing the species, for genetic and vocalization differences, or similarities. Some species are found to have more than one actual species being listed under one name, or the direct opposite, they might find that two or more species listed, are actually all the same bird.

In the last few weeks, these splits have effected bird species right here on the Baja. The Clapper Rail, is now called the Ridgeway's Rail, but just in this area. And just recently, the Western Scrub Jay has been split, with the two new species being the California Scrub Jay, and the Woodhouse's Scrub Jay. How can you tell these new species apart?  Where they are found is one of the easiest clues. California scrub-jays principally live in the  coastal regions from Washington to Baja California and up into the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. The Woodhouse’s scrub-jays range from the Great Basin and the Rocky Mountains down to the Chihuahuan Desert.

I have actually been able to see both of these new species, but only have photos of the "new" California Scrub Jay. The two pictures below I took on Saturday Morning