A nearly unmistakable dark blue, black-crested jay with variable white or blue markings on the head. The wings and tail are a vivid blue, with fine black barring. The head, including the crest ...

Both the Steller’s jay and the blue jay have conspicuous crests and wings and tail barred with black. See also the Florida scrub-jay and the island scrub-jay (which do not overlap in range).