The latest on the "Grue Jay" is that it is a rare natural hybrid bird discovered in San Antonio, Texas, created from a mating between a blue jay (father) and a green jay (mother). This hybrid shows a mix of physical and behavioral traits from both species, such as turquoise-blue plumage with black facial markings. It was first spotted in 2023 and confirmed by genetic testing reported in a 2025 study published by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin.

Discovery and significance

• Location: The first documented wild grue jay was spotted in 2023 in a suburb of San Antonio, Texas, by a local homeowner. This individual was seen again in the same backyard in 2025.
• Scientific confirmation: The sighting was investigated by researchers from the University of Texas at Austin, including graduate student Brian Stokes. Genetic analysis of a blood sample confirmed the bird was a first-generation offspring of a male blue jay and a female green jay.
• Climate change indicator: Researchers believe this hybridization is a bellwether for how climate change is affecting species distribution. In recent decades, green jays have expanded their range northward from Central America, while blue jays have shifted westward. This has caused their territories to overlap for the first time in millions of years, creating opportunities for interbreeding. 

 Unique characteristics

• Appearance: The grue jay exhibits a mix of features from its parents. Its body and tail are similar to a blue jay, but its face features a distinct black mask similar to a green jay.
• Genetic history: The hybridization is particularly noteworthy because the parent species are separated by about 7 million years of evolution and are in different genera.
• Behavior: The hybrid bird was observed to have calls that were a blend of both species. However, unlike its highly social parents, the grue jay was seen behaving more solitarily. 

Hybrids in the wild

While hybridization is not unheard of in birds, a rare event such as the grue jay is considered evidence of ecological changes driven by human activity. The potential for these kinds of encounters to become more frequent highlights how climate change is disrupting long-established natural patterns. 

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