Meet The Grue Jay, A Rare Hybrid Bird That Was Just Discovered In Texas

Texas has welcomed a new feathered resident. The grue jay is a combination of a blue jay and a green jay. Researchers say it's one of the first instances of hybridization due to climate change. While the blue jay is prolific in much of the east and continuing its western expansion, green jays only recently made their way into the Texas region from further south. First spotted in 2023, we're still learning about this curious new bird. 

Biologists from the University of Texas at Austin had the chance to capture and study a male grue jay earlier this year. From their observations, it seems this hybrid is mostly blue with a black mask and white chest, and about the same size as a regular blue jay. "Hybridization is probably way more common in the natural world than researchers know about because there's just so much inability to report these things happening," Brian Stokes, a graduate student in ecology, evolution, and behavior at UT, reported. There's still a lot to learn about the grue jay. It's still unclear how many of these birds exist or how they might behave. But if you're hoping to catch a glimpse of one in your Texas backyard, we can make an educated guess on how to draw them in.

While we're still learning about this elusive hybrid bird, perhaps we can learn more about its behavior from its two parent birds. There are plenty of methods to attract blue jays to your yard. They're typically drawn in by peanuts, corn, and sunflowers. They also love splashing around in bird baths. However, some argue this is a bird you don't want to see in your yard due to their territorial nature and loud call. 

Green jays are considered tropical birds. Most of them live in Mexico and South America, but a small population calls South Texas home. If you live in the region, you may be able to draw them in if you have a few fruit trees in your yard. On occasion, they also visit bird feeders, but it's easiest to spot them at parks or refuges.

If you live in South Texas and you're hoping this elusive hybrid bird pays you a visit, try setting your yard up based on what blue jays and green jays prefer. Perhaps you can plant a small grove of fruit trees and place a modern bird bath close by. You can fill a bird feeder with peanuts and corn and hope you get lucky. With so much still unknown about this bird, it's hard to say exactly what might draw them in. Consider installing a bird watching camera near your feeder so you don't miss out on any potential grue jay visits!