Conservation Status Channel Islands National Park has afforded some protection for the island scrub-jay. Sheep and pigs have severely degraded habitat on the islands, but efforts to control their impact have been underway.
Habitat This species breeds in coast live oak woodland or chaparral dominated by scrub oak on Santa Cruz Island.
Natural History This species has been split from the Western Scrub-Jay because of its brighter plumage and different genetic makeup. It is restricted to the island of Santa Cruz off the California coast, where its entire population would be threatened by any major disturbance.