A HIGH ELEVATION OCCURRENCE OF SCRUB JAYS IN THE SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS

Abstract

The widely distributed Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) is primarily limited altitudinally in southern California to elevations below approximately 2300 meters (Pitelka 1951). However, on 26 July 1980, I observed two individuals of this species 0.5 km ESE of the peak of Mount San Gorgonio, San Bernardino County, California, at an elevation of approximately 3620 meters. Vegetation in this area consisted of sparse, wind-stunted Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis); the only other birds in evidence were Clark’s Nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana).