The species is widespread with numerous disjunct populations and much geographic variation. In California, it prefers oak woodland, savannah and chaparral habitats.
The Western Scrub-Jay is divided into three subspecies group. This is a member of the coastal California group which are generally fairly bright. The duller Woodhouse's group ranges through much of the Great Basin. It has been proposed as a separate species, but the AOU recently rejected that proposal. In Southern Mexico, the Sumichrast's group, also sometimes treated as a separate species occurs.
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