Primary found in Mexico and located in the high elevation areas of the Basin and Range, Northern Sierra Madre and Transcontinental Volcanic Mountain regions.

In the US, the Mexican Jay can be located in west Texas normally along the border with Mexico, and in the southern Basin and Range region along the border between the states of Arizona and New Mexico as far north as Zuni Pueblo.

Found in small flocks in pine and oak canyons. Can be shy and often is found in brushy areas.

Slim with a long tail, but not as long as a Scrub Jay and has less color contrast as the Scrub Jay. Also, lacks the white on the throat and eyebrow that is present on Scrub Jays.

The juvenile of the Arizona race has a yellow bill.