THE WORLD BIRDS - An Online Bird Book
CORVIDAE
Subfamily Cyanocoracinae - New World Jays
CORVIDAE
The Corvidae family contains the crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws, jays, magpies, treepies, choughs and nutcrackers. These species are grouped into subfamilies that are outlined in the table that follows. Beware that names such as jays, magpies, or treepies are not always assigned in a consistant manner. For example, the black magpie (Platysmurus leucopterus) belongs to the treepie subfamily.
| SUBFAMILY | MEMBERS |
| Corvinae | True crows of genus Corvus includes the crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws. |
| Corvinae (continued) | Jays of genus Garrulus, nutcrackers of Nucifraga, magpies of Pica, ground-jays of Jay Podoces, and the piapiac of Ptilostomus, and Stresemann's bush-crow of Zavattariornis. |
| Cissinae | Green-magpies of Cissa and the blue-magpies of Urocissa. |
| Cyanocoracinae | Most of the species that are named "jay". |
| Crypsirininae | Treepies |
| Perisoreinae | Three jay species of Perisoreus and Magpies of Cyanopica |
Corvids are medium to large in size, with strong feet and bills, and a single moult each year (most passerines moult twice). Most species have bristle-like feathers covering their nostrils. They are omnivores having a varied diet of animal and plant material. Makes average slightly heavier than females. Corvids are found worldwide except for the tip of South America and the polar ice caps.
Subfamily Cyanocoracinae - New World Jays
Thirty two to the 38 New World species are found in Mexico, Central America, and South America. The New World jays are mostly between 25 and 40 cm; some of the that length is due to their long tails. The smallest of is the dwarf jay which is 20 to 23 cm long and only weighs about 40 grams.
The magpie-jays are up to 75 cm long and have the longest tails of the jays. Almost all jays have some blue on them, and for many species blue is the predominant color. In fact, cyan in the subfamilies name refers to the color blue. The only New World jay that is completely lacking in blue is the brown jay. The jays are vocal and able to produce a variety of sounds and some even mimic sounds. A loud hash calls is used to warn about intruders.
The New World jays are found in scrubland, pine-oak forests, other forest types as long as they are not very dense and have open areas, forest edges, and wooded savannas. They have heavy stout bill which helps to enable them to be omnivores. Some species have a more plant based diet while others are more animal focused. Insects, seeds, fruit and berries are on most diets. Caterpillars, frogs, lizards, eggs and nestlings of other birds are also commonly eaten by the New World jays.
Because of their varied diet, the jays' populations on the whole are doing well, most of their conservations status are listed as Least Concern. Those with declining population are in trouble due to their environment being degraded via human changes. Deforestation, as with bird species world wide, is the major cause. Expanding human populations need to do more to preserve avian habitats. This is especially a challenge when a bird species is found a limited range. In addition to deforestation, global warming plus human interference with natural but small fires, is causing forest to burn with much larger and hotter fires than normal. This too is detrimental to jays in particular, and birds in general.
The nests are cup-shaped, made from twigs and lined with softer plant material. Most of the species are cooperative breeders. Usually the female is the sole incubator. The incubation period is about 2 plus weeks and the time to fledge is a little longer. The male and helpers provide her and the chicks with food. Sometimes the helper's food is provided directly to the chicks, and other times the food is given to the female parent which then gives it to the chicks. In addition to helping to provide for the chicks, helpers contribute to defending the young from predators. The helpers are younger birds who benefit not only to helping the species survive, but also learn parenting responsibilities.
In addition to these New World jays, there are Old World jays of genus Garrulus which belong to the Corvidae subfamily Covinae. They are mainly found in Europe and Asia, with the Eurasian jay also found in northern Africa. There are only 3 species of Garrulus jays, but the Eurasian jay has almost 30 subspecies, many of which are very distinct. The jays in this genus are similar to the New World jays, both in appearance and behavior. They are colorful and have a large head, robust bill, solid body, plus relatively long tail. They are omnivores eating insects, spiders, lizards, eggs, chicks, nuts, seeds, grains, and fruit. The nests are cup shaped with a base of twigs and lined with softer plant material. It is constructed by both sexes, but onlty the female incubates.
Another type of jar are the ground-jays of genus Podoces. They look and behave differently form the Garrulus jays and also the New World jays. Because they pursue much of their prey on the ground, they have strong legs designed for fast runnin;g and their long, curved thick bills are adapted for digging and probing. Their nests are built in bushes, usually less than 2 meters from the ground. This is not surprising since they are poor fliers and would not want to waste energy flying high into a tree to feed their chicks. The ground-jays inhabit high altitude semi-desert areas from central Asia to Mongolia.
Blue Jay Image by Dick Daniels
Genus Aphelocoma
These 7 jay species live in scrub forests, open pine-oak forests, chaparral, and mixed evergreen forests. They have mainly blue upperparts, a stout black bill, and pale grey underparts (except for the unicolor jay which has blue underparts). They have no crest. They are found in Mexico, western United States, and western Central America. Also, the Florida scrub-jay is found in Florida. They hide food in caches and can remember over 100 such sites. They nest low in trees or in bushes. Most are cooperative breeders; the younger birds stay part of the family unit for a couple of years during which time they help feed the young and protect against predators such as hawks. Only the female parent incubates the eggs.
Jay,_California_Scrub- Aphelocoma californica
Description: The California scrub-jay has a blue head, wings, and tail. It has a grey-brown back, pale greyish underparts, thin white supercilium, and a whitish throat with blue necklace. It is 27 to 31 cm long and weighs about 85 grams. The similar Mexican scrub-jay is more uniform in color, The similar Woodhouse's scrub-jay has a less distinct blue breast-band than the California scrub-jay. Woodhouse's tends to be inconspicuous while the California is bold and conspicuous.
Range: Western North America, relatively close to the coast.
Habitat: Low scrub, preferring pinon-juniper forests, oak woods, and edges of mixed evergreen forests. It also inhabits suburban gardens.
Diet: Small animals such as frogs and lizards, eggs and young of other birds, insects, grains, nuts, and berries. They have a good spatial memory and will cash food such as acorns.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Becky_Matsubara - CA 2) Minette Layne - Seattle Washington 3) Msulis - Portland Oregon 4) Andrej_Chudy - CaliforniaRange: Western North America, relatively close to the coast.
Habitat: Low scrub, preferring pinon-juniper forests, oak woods, and edges of mixed evergreen forests. It also inhabits suburban gardens.
Diet: Small animals such as frogs and lizards, eggs and young of other birds, insects, grains, nuts, and berries. They have a good spatial memory and will cash food such as acorns.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
1) Juvenile
Jay,_Florida Scrub- Aphelocoma coerulescens
Description: The Florida scrub-jay has a blue head, nape, necklace, wings, and tail. It has a whitish forehead which distinguishes it from other scrub-jays. The supercilium is also whitish. It has a greyish back and pale greyish underparts. The bill and legs are black. Juveniles stay part of the family unit for a couple of years during which time they help feed the young and protect against predtors such as hawks. It is about 26 cm long
Range: Florida.
Habitat: Scrub habitat which is characterized by nutrient-poor soil, occasional drought, and frequent wildfires.
Diet: Acorns, seeds, peanuts, insects, tree-frogs, turtles, snakes, lizards, and young mice.
Conservation status: The Florida scrub-jay is listed as Vulnerable because fire suppression has caused scrubland to transform into larger trees such as oaks.
Image by: 1) Andromeda 2) Mwanner 3) B_WalkerRange: Florida.
Habitat: Scrub habitat which is characterized by nutrient-poor soil, occasional drought, and frequent wildfires.
Diet: Acorns, seeds, peanuts, insects, tree-frogs, turtles, snakes, lizards, and young mice.
Conservation status: The Florida scrub-jay is listed as Vulnerable because fire suppression has caused scrubland to transform into larger trees such as oaks.
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Jay,_Island_Scrub- Aphelocoma insularis
Description: The island scrub-jay evolved from the California scrub-jay larger. It is larger, more brightly colored, and has a markedly stouter bill. Their ranges do not overlap. The island scrub jay has a blue head, wings, and tail. It has a grey-brown back, pale greyish underparts, thin white supercilium, and a whitish throat with blue necklace. It is about 33 cm long and 115 grams. Unlike some other jays, they are not cooperative breeders.
Range: Santa Cruz Island, California.
Habitat: Oak chaparral and bishop pine.
Diet: Mainly acorns, especially in the fall. Also, small animals such as frogs and lizards, eggs and young of other birds, insects, grains, and berries.
Conservation status: The island scrub-jay is listed as Vulnerable because more intense than normal fires are changing their environment.
Image by: 1) Tom_Benson 2) Kevin Pietrzak 2) Bill_Bouton 3) Tony_Morris Range: Santa Cruz Island, California.
Habitat: Oak chaparral and bishop pine.
Diet: Mainly acorns, especially in the fall. Also, small animals such as frogs and lizards, eggs and young of other birds, insects, grains, and berries.
Conservation status: The island scrub-jay is listed as Vulnerable because more intense than normal fires are changing their environment.
Jay,_Mexican Aphelocoma wollweberi Found: North America
Description: The Mexican jay has a blue head, wings, and tail. It has a blue-grey mantle and pale grey underparts. It is about 29 cm long and 115 grams. The Mexican jay, which is found in the Transvolcanic Belt of central Mexico, and the transvolcanic jay were formerly consider subspecies in the same genus. The Mexican jay is more uniform in color than the similar California scrub-jay.
Range: Northern Mexico and southwestern USA.
Habitat: Pine-oak forest.
Diet: Mainly acorns and pine nuts. Also a a wide variety of plant and animal matter.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Marcel Holyoak - Arizona 2) New Jersey Birds 3, 4) Alan Vernon - Arizona Range: Northern Mexico and southwestern USA.
Habitat: Pine-oak forest.
Diet: Mainly acorns and pine nuts. Also a a wide variety of plant and animal matter.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
1) Juvenile
Jay,_Transvolcanic Aphelocoma ultramarina
Description: The Transvolcanic jay has a blue head, wings,and tail. It has a blue-grey mantle and pale grey underparts. It is about 30 cm long and 130 grams. The transvolcanic jay is found in the Transvolcanic Belt of central Mexico while the similar but smaller Mexican jay is found in northen Mexico and southwestern USA.
Range: A relatively narrow belt which has some active volcanoes in central Mexico.
Habitat: Montane pine-oak forests.
Diet: Nuts, pine seeds, insects, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Gonzalo_Zepeda_Martinez 2 Amy McAndrews - VeracruzRange: A relatively narrow belt which has some active volcanoes in central Mexico.
Habitat: Montane pine-oak forests.
Diet: Nuts, pine seeds, insects, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jay,_Unicolor Aphelocoma unicolor
Description: The unicolor scrub-jay has dark blue plumage, black lores, and a heavy black bill. There is no similar jay in its range. It is a cooperative breeder.
Range: Mexico, Central America.
Habitat: Cloud forests, pine-oak forests.
Diet: Large insects, small vertebrates, seeds, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Kathy_and_Sam 2) Francesco_Veronesi 3) Nick Athanas Range: Mexico, Central America.
Habitat: Cloud forests, pine-oak forests.
Diet: Large insects, small vertebrates, seeds, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jay,_Woodhouse's_Scrub- Aphelocoma woodhouseii
Description: The Woodhouse's scrub-jay has mainly blue upperparts with a grey-brown back. There is a small white supercilium. Its black bill is thiner than other members of its genus. The underparts are pale bluish-white. There are faint streaks on its breast. It is about 29 cm long and 85 grams in weight. Most do not practice cooperative breeding. The California scrub-jay was previously considered conspecific with Woodhouse's scrub-jay.
Range: Southeastern Oregon to central Mexico.
Habitat: Areas of low scrub, preferring pinon-juniper forests.
Diet: Seeds, nuts, insects, spiders.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Jerry Oldenettel - New Mexico 2) Peter_Wallack- New Mexico 3) Tony_Randell - UtahRange: Southeastern Oregon to central Mexico.
Habitat: Areas of low scrub, preferring pinon-juniper forests.
Diet: Seeds, nuts, insects, spiders.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Genus Calocitta
The two mappie-jay species both have black sparce crests. They live in Mexico and Central America.
Jay,_Black-throated Magpie- Calocitta colliei
Description: The black-throated magpie-jay has blue upperparts and white underparts. It has a black throat, bib, head, crest, bill, and legs. There is a pale blue spot over the eye and pale blue patch under the eye. It is 55 to 75 cm long, half of which is due to the tail. The black-throated magpie-jay weighs 225 to 250 grams. The nest is a big cup of sticks lined with softer material. The similar white-throated magpie-jay has much less black on its face.
Range: Mexico.
Habitat: Open forests, bushy areas.
Diet: An omnivore preferring invertebrates and fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Dick Daniels - National Aviary 2) fredhochstaedter 3) Jorge_MontejoRange: Mexico.
Habitat: Open forests, bushy areas.
Diet: An omnivore preferring invertebrates and fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jay,_White-throated_Magpie- Calocitta formosa
Description: The white-throated Magpie-jay has white a face and underparts. It has blue upperparts and tail. The crest is black, the legs are also black, and there is a black necklace. It has a grey bill. It is 43 to 56 cm long and weighs about 210 grams. The similar black-throated magpie-jay has much less white on its face.
Range: Mexico, Central America.
Habitat: A variety of forests.
Diet: Insects and caterpillars, frogs, lizards, eggs and nestlings of other birds, seeds, fruits, grain.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Jerry Oldenettel 2) Hans_Norelius 3) Nick Athanas - Mexico 4) Maris_Pukitis Range: Mexico, Central America.
Habitat: A variety of forests.
Diet: Insects and caterpillars, frogs, lizards, eggs and nestlings of other birds, seeds, fruits, grain.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Genus Cyanocitta
This genus contains the Blue jay and Steller's jay which are both North American crested jays.
Jay,_Blue Cyanocitta cristata
Description: The blue jay has blue upperparts, off-white underparts, a blue tail barred with black, black collar, and a black eye-line. It has a crest which is raised or lowered depending on the mood. It is 25 to 30 cm long and weighs 70 to 100 grams. It builds an open cup nest in the branches of a tree.
Range: North America, but not the far west.
Habitat: Various from the pine woods of Florida to the spruce-fir forests of northern Ontario.
Diet: Insects, nuts, seeds, fruit, eggs.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1, 2, 3) Dick Daniels - North Carolina 4) Mark_Sweep - NebraskaRange: North America, but not the far west.
Habitat: Various from the pine woods of Florida to the spruce-fir forests of northern Ontario.
Diet: Insects, nuts, seeds, fruit, eggs.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jay,_Steller's Cyanocitta stelleri
Description: The Steller's jay has z blackish-brown head and neck. It has a silvery-blue lower breast and belly. The wings, tail, and flanks are blue. It is 30 to 34 cm long and weighs 100 to 140 grams.
Range: Western North America.
Habitat: Forests.
Diet: About two-thirds plant matter and one-third animal matter. Included are nuts, seeds, berries, insects, small rodents, eggs, chicks.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1, 2, 3) Alan D Wilson - British Columbia 4) Charlie Westerinen - central Sierra NevadaRange: Western North America.
Habitat: Forests.
Diet: About two-thirds plant matter and one-third animal matter. Included are nuts, seeds, berries, insects, small rodents, eggs, chicks.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Genus Cyanocorax
This genus contains 16 closely related species that primarily are found in wooded habitats of Mexico, Central America, and South America, with the Green jay just barely entering the United States. The upperparts (except for the Green jay) are primarily blue or purplish. They all have a black bib and all have some black on their head.
Jay,_Azure Cyanocorax caeruleus
Description: The azure jay has mainly blue plumage. It also has a black head, neck, and upper-breast. It is about 49 cm long and weighs 270 grams. Its nest is made of sticks and placed 10–20 m above the ground in an Araucaria tree.
Range: Mainly southeast Brazil; also northeast Argentina, eastern Paraguay.
Habitat: Evergreen forests, especially those of the Araucaria tree.
Diet: Nut-like seeds of the Araucaria tree; also insects, fruit.
Conservation status: The azure jay is listed as Near Threatened as the population seems to be declining due to deforestation.
Image by: 1) Aaron Maizlish - Brazil 2) Steven Whitebread 3) Lotlhmoq Range: Mainly southeast Brazil; also northeast Argentina, eastern Paraguay.
Habitat: Evergreen forests, especially those of the Araucaria tree.
Diet: Nut-like seeds of the Araucaria tree; also insects, fruit.
Conservation status: The azure jay is listed as Near Threatened as the population seems to be declining due to deforestation.
Jay,_Azure-naped Cyanocorax heilprini
Description: The szure-naped jay has bluish-grey upperparts. The throat and bib are black as is most of the head. It has a light blue rear-crown and nape, yellow eyes, and a white under-tail. It is 33 to 36 cm long and is a communal breeder.
Range: Brazil, Columbia, Venezuela.
Habitat: Stunted forests, forest edges and second growth on sandy soils.
Diet: Invertebrates such as insects, seeds, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Range: Brazil, Columbia, Venezuela.
Habitat: Stunted forests, forest edges and second growth on sandy soils.
Diet: Invertebrates such as insects, seeds, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Joao_Quental 2) Anthony_Kaduck - Columbia 3) Nick Athanas - Columbia
Jay,_Black-chested Cyanocorax affinis
Description: The black-chested jay has dark violet-blue upperparts including the wings. It has a mostly black head, face, and breast. There is a violet-blue patch above the eye and and a similarly colored malar stripe. The lower-breast and belly are white. It is 34 cm long and weighs about 210 grams.
Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia, Venezuela.
Habitat: Lowland forests and degraded forests.
Diet: Fruits, berries. Also invertebrates such as insects.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1, 4) Felix_Uribe - Columbia 2) Nick Athanas - Panama, Columbia 3) Neil Orlando Diaz Martinez Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia, Venezuela.
Habitat: Lowland forests and degraded forests.
Diet: Fruits, berries. Also invertebrates such as insects.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
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Jay,_Bushy-crested Cyanocorax melanocyaneus
Description: The bushy-crested jay is named for its crest, but that is usually flat against its head, It has a black upper-mantle, head, neck, and breast. The remaining upperparts are dark blue with a sheen of green or violet and the remaining underparts are greenish-blue. The eyes are pale yellow and the bill plus legs are black. It is 28 to 30 cm long, The bushy-crested jay is a cooperative breeder with the helpers feeding the nestlings and providing protection from predators.
Range: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
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Habitat: Forest, usually pine and oak, with open areas. Also degraded forests including coffee plantations.
Diet: Nuts, seeds, fruit, insects and other invertebrates.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Yeray_Seminario 2) Dominic
SheronyRange: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
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Habitat: Forest, usually pine and oak, with open areas. Also degraded forests including coffee plantations.
Diet: Nuts, seeds, fruit, insects and other invertebrates.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jay,_Cayenne Cyanocorax cayanus
Description: The Cayenne jay has dark brownish-purple back, It has a whitish rear crown, nap, lower-breast, and belly, The fore-crown, face, throat, and upper-breast are black. It is a cooperative breeder.
Range: Northern Brazil, the Guianas, eastern Venezuela.
Habitat: Forest edges and clearings, wooded savannas.
Diet: Insects such as beetles, grasshoppers. Also fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Barloventomagico 2 Tony_Morris - VenezuelaRange: Northern Brazil, the Guianas, eastern Venezuela.
Habitat: Forest edges and clearings, wooded savannas.
Diet: Insects such as beetles, grasshoppers. Also fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jay,_Curl-crested Cyanocorax cristatellus Found: South America
Description: The curl-crested jay has a blackish back, head, and neck. It has white underparts and a black curl crest rising from just behind the bill. It is similar to the plush-crested jay which has a blue arc over the eye. It is 35 cm in length. The curl-crested jay is a cooperative breeder. The female is the sole incubator, but helpers bring food to the nestlings and provide protection from predators.
Range: Mainly Brazil; also east Bolivia and northeast Paraguay.
Habitat: Savanna, scrubland, thorny brush.
Diet: Almost anything: nuts, seeds, fruit, insects, eggs, chicks, etc.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1, 2, 3)
Dario Sanches - Brazil 4) JairmoreirafotografiaRange: Mainly Brazil; also east Bolivia and northeast Paraguay.
Habitat: Savanna, scrubland, thorny brush.
Diet: Almost anything: nuts, seeds, fruit, insects, eggs, chicks, etc.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jay,_Green Cyanocorax yncas
Description: The green jay, also known as the Inca jay, has green upperparts, and lighter yellow to green underparts, The crown and nape are blue or whitish, but the bushy forehead is always blue. It has a black bib that continues up the side of its head. It is 29 cm in length. The green jay is a cooperative breeder. The female is the sole incubator. She is feed by the male and also by helpers.
Range: South Texas to Honduras and the Andes of South America.
Habitat: Open woodland, shrubland.
Diet: Insects, seeds, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Fernando_Flores 2) Dick Daniels - San Francisco Zoo 3) Andy_Morffew 4) Nick Athanas - Ecuador Range: South Texas to Honduras and the Andes of South America.
Habitat: Open woodland, shrubland.
Diet: Insects, seeds, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
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Jay,_Plush-crested Cyanocorax chrysops Found: South America
Description: The plush-crested jay has bluish-grey upperparts. It has a a black head, black plushy crest, black nape, and a black bib. The rest of the underparts are yellowish-white. There is a blue arc over the eye. The top part of the tail is blue while the rest of it is cream colored. The similar curl-crested jay does not have a blue arc over the eye.
Range: Central-southern South America.
Habitat: Varied form forests to scrub and groves of trees.
Diet: Insects, seeds, nuts, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) David Monniaux Iguazú National Park (Argentina) 2) Sandy Cole - San Diego
Zoo 3) Dario Sanches - Brazil 4) Nick Athanas - ArgentinaRange: Central-southern South America.
Habitat: Varied form forests to scrub and groves of trees.
Diet: Insects, seeds, nuts, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jay,_Purplish Cyanocorax cyanomelas
Description: The purplish jay has dull purple upperparts. It has a black head, neck, and upper-breast. The rest of the underparts are also dull purple.
Range: Nnorthern Argentina, Bolivia, southern Brazil, Paraguay and southeastern Peru.
Habitat: Wooded area and scrubland, but not heavily forested areas.
Diet: Insects such as grasshoppers and beetles; fruit, seeds, and crops such as corn.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) J Quental - Brazil 2) Hector Bottai - Brazil 3) Nick Athanas - Brazil 4) Dominic Sherony - PeruRange: Nnorthern Argentina, Bolivia, southern Brazil, Paraguay and southeastern Peru.
Habitat: Wooded area and scrubland, but not heavily forested areas.
Diet: Insects such as grasshoppers and beetles; fruit, seeds, and crops such as corn.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jay,_Purplish-backed Cyanocorax beecheii
Description: The purplish-backed jay has deep blue to purple upperparts. It has a black bill, head, neck, and underparts, The eyes and legs are yellow. It is 35 to 41 cm long. It is similar to the San Blas jay which is found mainly south of the purplish-backed jay. It is a cooperative breeder and only the dominant pair of the group breeds in a season. The female is the sole incubator. She is feed by the male and also by helpers.
Range: Northwestern Mexico.
Habitat: Dry deciduous forests, scrubland.
Diet: Small animals, both invertebrates and vertebrates, such as termites, beetles, lizards, and small rodents. Their prey may be caught in the air, on leaves, or on the ground. They also eat grain, seeds and fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Amy McAndrews 2, 3) Cburnett 4) Ron_Knight - SinaloaRange: Northwestern Mexico.
Habitat: Dry deciduous forests, scrubland.
Diet: Small animals, both invertebrates and vertebrates, such as termites, beetles, lizards, and small rodents. Their prey may be caught in the air, on leaves, or on the ground. They also eat grain, seeds and fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
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Jay,_San Blas Cyanocorax sanblasianus
Description: The San Blas jay has blue upperparts. The head, nape, and underparts are black. It is s found mainly south of the similar purplish-backed jay. It is 27 to 35 cm long. The nest is constructed of twigs and lined with soft plant material. Both parents care for the young, and several birds may help feed the chicks, especially after they have fledged. Unlike most jay species, the female may share incubation with another female.
Range: Central-western Mexico.
Habitat: Varied including forests and their edges, scrubby woodland, plantations.
Diet: Insects including beetles and cockroaches, lizards.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1, 2) Kurayba 3) Kurt_BauschardtRange: Central-western Mexico.
Habitat: Varied including forests and their edges, scrubby woodland, plantations.
Diet: Insects including beetles and cockroaches, lizards.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jay,_Tufted Cyanocorax dickeyi
Description: The tufted jay has dark blue to blackish upperparts and a dark blue top half of the tail. It has a black crown, throat, and vertical band behind the eyes. It has a white nape, underparts, and bottom half of the tail. It is a cooperative breeder. The female parent incubates the eggs. The male parent and helpers bring her food, but she takes the offerings and feeds the chicks herself.
Range: West-central Mexico in a small area of the Sierra Madre Occidental of Sinaloa and Durango.
Habitat: Pine-oak woodlands and other deciduous forests.
Diet: Acorns, fruit. Also insects.
Conservation status: The tufted jay is listed as Near Threatened because of its limited range and habit loss. The population is between 10,000 and 20,000.
Image by: 1) Ron Knight 2, 3) Francesco Veronesi 4) Bryant_OlsenRange: West-central Mexico in a small area of the Sierra Madre Occidental of Sinaloa and Durango.
Habitat: Pine-oak woodlands and other deciduous forests.
Diet: Acorns, fruit. Also insects.
Conservation status: The tufted jay is listed as Near Threatened because of its limited range and habit loss. The population is between 10,000 and 20,000.
Jay,_Violaceous Cyanocorax violaceus Found: South America
Description: The violaceous jay has dull violet upperparts and a lighter nape. The head and throat are black. There are pale violet underparts. It has black eyes which differentiates it from the similar azure-naped jay with its pale yellow eyes. The similar purplish jay does not have a pale nape.
Range: Northern South America.
Habitat: Tropical evergreen rainforest. Usually found in the midle and upper levels.
Diet: Omnivorous, mainly consuming fruits, insects, plus bird and reptile eggs.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Joao Quental - Venezuela 2) Geoff Gallice 3) Nick Athanas - EcuadorRange: Northern South America.
Habitat: Tropical evergreen rainforest. Usually found in the midle and upper levels.
Diet: Omnivorous, mainly consuming fruits, insects, plus bird and reptile eggs.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jay,_White-naped Cyanocorax cyanopogon
Description: The white-naped jay has mainly brown upperparts, a white nape, and white underparts, The head, throat, and upper-breast are black. There is a blue spot above its yellow eye. It is 35 cm long and weighs 110 to 160 grams.
Range: Brazil.
Habitat: Dry forest, forest edge, and near streams.
Diet: Insects, spiders, fruit, seeds.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Claudio_Timm 2) Shanthanu Bhardwaj 3) Nick Athanas - Brazil 4) JulaniPhotosRange: Brazil.
Habitat: Dry forest, forest edge, and near streams.
Diet: Insects, spiders, fruit, seeds.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jay,_White-tailed Cyanocorax mystacalis
Description: The white-tailed jay has a dark blue back and wings. The black head has a small white patch above the eyes and large white patch below the eyes, There is a black bib; the rest of underparts are white, including the tail. It is 33 cm long and weighs about 150 grams.
Range: Ecuador and Peru.
Habitat: Various types of woodlands. Favors mesquite or woods near moving water.
Diet: Seeds, insects such as beetles and ants. Will take eggs, even from domestic sources.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) David Cook - Peru 2) Nick Athanas - Peru 3, 4) Francesco_Veronesi - EcuadorRange: Ecuador and Peru.
Habitat: Various types of woodlands. Favors mesquite or woods near moving water.
Diet: Seeds, insects such as beetles and ants. Will take eggs, even from domestic sources.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jay,_Yucatan Cyanocorax yucatanicus
Description: The Yucatan jay has blue upperparts while the rest of the plumage is black. The bill and eye-rings are yellow during the first two years, after which it they are black. It is about 30 cm long. It is a cooperative breeder. The female is the probably the sole incubator. The male and helpers provide her and the chicks with food.
Range: Belize, Guatemala, Mexico.
Habitat: Most types of forest and also coastal scrub.
Diet: Seeds (especially corn), insects such as beetles, and other items as the opportunity presents.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Tony Hisgett - Mexico 2) Scott Reader 3) Kyla 4) Jean-Sebastien_Guenette - MexicoRange: Belize, Guatemala, Mexico.
Habitat: Most types of forest and also coastal scrub.
Diet: Seeds (especially corn), insects such as beetles, and other items as the opportunity presents.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Genus Cyanolyca
These 9 species are mainly blue and have a black mask. They also possess black bills and legs and are skulking birds. They are found in Mexico, Central America and northwestern South America.
Jay,_Azure-hooded Cyanolyca cucullata
Description: The azure-hooded jay has mainly dark blue plumage. It has a black head with a sky blue back of the head and neck. The blue patch can have a white border.
Range: Mexico, Central America.
Habitat: Evergreen forests and forest edges.
Diet: Insects, spiders, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Barbol 2) Hans Zwitzer - Costa Rica 3) David Rodriguez - Costa Rica 4) Cephas - Costa RicaRange: Mexico, Central America.
Habitat: Evergreen forests and forest edges.
Diet: Insects, spiders, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jay,_Beautiful Cyanolyca pulchra
Description: The beautiful jay has mainly dark blue plumage, a black face, black forehead, and a whitish crown. The female's upperparts have a brownish twinge. It is 27 cm long. The beautiful jay is similar to the azure-hooded jay, but their ranges do not overlap.
Range: Columbia, Ecuador.
Habitat: Humid montane forest, cloud forests, secondary forests, and clearings.
Diet: Probably similar to the azure-hooded jay: insects, spiders, fruit.
Conservation status: The beautiful jay is listed as Near Threatened because it has a limited range and it prefers a primary forest habitat.
Image by: 1) Michael Woodruff 2) Nick Athanas - Ecuador 3) Andrew_Spencer in Ecuador Range: Columbia, Ecuador.
Habitat: Humid montane forest, cloud forests, secondary forests, and clearings.
Diet: Probably similar to the azure-hooded jay: insects, spiders, fruit.
Conservation status: The beautiful jay is listed as Near Threatened because it has a limited range and it prefers a primary forest habitat.
Jay,_Black-collared Cyanolyca armillata
Description: The Black-collared jay has mainly blue plumage, a paler blue crown, a black mask, and a black collar that connects to the rear of its mask. It is 30 to 32 cm long. The similar turquoise jay has a greener tinge than the black-collared jay and a narrower mask.
Range: The Andes of Columbia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
Habitat: Cloud forest and forest edges.
Diet: Information needed.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1, 3) Felix_Uribe - Columbia 2) Sebastian Davila Range: The Andes of Columbia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
Habitat: Cloud forest and forest edges.
Diet: Information needed.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jay,_Black-throated Cyanolyca pumilo
Description: The black-throated jay has mainly dark blue plumage, a black face with and a narrow white upper border, plus a black throat.
Range: Southeast Mexico to Honduras.
Habitat: Moist montane forests.
Diet: Like most jays, it is probably omnivorous.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1, 2) Dominic Sherony - GuatemalaRange: Southeast Mexico to Honduras.
Habitat: Moist montane forests.
Diet: Like most jays, it is probably omnivorous.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
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Jay,_Dwarf Cyanolyca nanus
Description: The dwarf jay is a small, dull blue jay. It has a black mask on the face, and the throat is pale blue. It is 20 to 23 cm long and only weighs about 40 grams which makes it the smallest of the New World jays.
Range: Although it can be locally common, this jay has a small distribution in the mountains of southeastern Mexico.
Habitat: Montane forests, specifically comprising an oak-pine mix.
Diet: Mainly insects such as beetles and flies.
Conservation status: The dwarf jay is listed as Near Threatened because of its limited range and their prefered habitiat is being destroyed. That said, there is no evidence that their population is declining.
Image by: 1) Jerry Oldenettel - Oaxaca 2) Nick AthanasRange: Although it can be locally common, this jay has a small distribution in the mountains of southeastern Mexico.
Habitat: Montane forests, specifically comprising an oak-pine mix.
Diet: Mainly insects such as beetles and flies.
Conservation status: The dwarf jay is listed as Near Threatened because of its limited range and their prefered habitiat is being destroyed. That said, there is no evidence that their population is declining.
Jay,_Silvery-throated Cyanolyca argentigula
Description: The silvery-throated jay has mainly dark blue plumage. It has a silvery throat patch, supercilium, and forehead. It is about 26 cm long. The silvery-throated jay is similar to the white-throated jay, but their ranges do not overlap.
Range: Costa Rica, Panama.
Habitat: Montane forests and their edges.
Diet: Insects, acorns, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) John Gerrard Keulemans 2) Dominic Sherony - Costa RicaRange: Costa Rica, Panama.
Habitat: Montane forests and their edges.
Diet: Insects, acorns, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jay,_Turquoise Cyanolyca turcosa
Description: The turquoise jay has mainly blue and turquoise plumage with a pale forehead. It has a black mask, collar, underside of the wings, and underside of the tail. It is about 31 cm long. The turquoise jay has a narrower mask plus paler forehead and paler throat than the black-collared jay.
Range: Columbia, Ecuador, Peru.
Habitat: Thick forests.
Diet: Insects, berries, fruit, eggs, chicks.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Ted Boniecki - Ecuador 2) David Cook - Ecuador 3) Nick Athanas - Ecuador 4) Nomdeploom - EcuadorRange: Columbia, Ecuador, Peru.
Habitat: Thick forests.
Diet: Insects, berries, fruit, eggs, chicks.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jay,_White-collared Cyanolyca viridicyanus
Description: The white-collared jay has mainly blue-green plumage, a black mask, and black under-tail. It has a white supercilium that extends to a white forehead, and a white collar. The white-collared jay is 34 cm long and weighs 85 to 125 grams. It was formerly considered conspecific with the black-collared jay.
Range: Bolivia, Peru
Habitat: Humid montane forests from 2000 to 3000 meters, and the edges of these forests.
Diet: Information needed.
Conservation status: The white-collared jay is listed as Near Threatened because it is not often encountered so it assumed to have a small population.
Image by: 1) Claudio Timm 2) Daniel_Lane - Bolivia 3) Paul_Fenwick - PeruRange: Bolivia, Peru
Habitat: Humid montane forests from 2000 to 3000 meters, and the edges of these forests.
Diet: Information needed.
Conservation status: The white-collared jay is listed as Near Threatened because it is not often encountered so it assumed to have a small population.
Jay,_White-throated Cyanolyca mirabilis
Description: The white-throated jay has mainly slate-blue plumage. The mostly black head has a white supercilium extending beyond the ear-coverts, and the throat is also white.
Range: South-western Mexico.
Habitat: Humid forests, both pine-oak and evergreen.
Diet: Information needed.
Conservation status: It is listed as Vulnerable because it is found in a limited range and there is concern that the population is declining.
Image by: 1) Ryan Shaw 2) Amy_McAndrews - OaxacaRange: South-western Mexico.
Habitat: Humid forests, both pine-oak and evergreen.
Diet: Information needed.
Conservation status: It is listed as Vulnerable because it is found in a limited range and there is concern that the population is declining.
Genus Gymnorhinus - 1 species
Jay,_Pinyon Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
Description: The pinyon jay is mainly bluish-grey with deeper head coloring,a light throat, a black bill, and also black legs.The chin, throat, and breast are paler. It is the primary disperser of seeds of the pinyon pine. It is 26 to 28 inches long.
Range: Western North America.
Habitat: Pinyonh-juniper woodlands and ponderosa pine forests
Diet: The seeds of the pinyon pine is their favorite food. Also fruits, insects.
Conservation status: It is listed as Vulnerable because its habitat is being used for charcol production and mining.
Image by: 1) Charle Westerinen - Colorada 2) Alan D Wilson - Oregon 3) Jerry_Oldenettel - New Mexico 4) SeabamirumRange: Western North America.
Habitat: Pinyonh-juniper woodlands and ponderosa pine forests
Diet: The seeds of the pinyon pine is their favorite food. Also fruits, insects.
Conservation status: It is listed as Vulnerable because its habitat is being used for charcol production and mining.
Genus Psilorhinus - 1 species
Jay,_Brown Psilorhinus morio
Description: The brown jay is a unique jay with its brown upperparts which make it less colorful than typical jays. It has a brown breast and white or pale brown belly. The under-tail is white. It has a black bill and legs, except juveniles have an orange bill. They are social and have helper younger birds to assist in survival of the juveniles and all protect from predators.
Range: Southern Texas to Panama.
Habitat: Lowland forests that are not dense; also forest edges and clearings.
Diet: Insects, other invertebrates, lizards, fruit. Eggs and chicks when food is scarce.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) rob Stoeltje 2) Dominik Hoter - Costa Rica
3) Nick Athanas - Costa Rica 4) Chara_PapanRange: Southern Texas to Panama.
Habitat: Lowland forests that are not dense; also forest edges and clearings.
Diet: Insects, other invertebrates, lizards, fruit. Eggs and chicks when food is scarce.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
1) Juvenile
Genus Platylophus - 1 species
The crested jay is traditionally placed in the family Corvidae but might belong to the helmetshrikes of family Prionopidae or perhaps even its own family. It is not part of the jay subfamily Cyanocoracinae.
Jay,_Crested Platylophus galericulatus
Description: It has mainly bluish-black plumagel, a very long crest, and a white neck patch. The legs and bill are black. The crested jay is about 32 cm long and weighs 90 grams.
Range: Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia.
Habitat: Broadleaf forests.
Diet: Caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, wasps.
Conservation status: The crested jay is listed as Near Threatened because forest destruction has lead to a declining population.
Image by:
1) Roland_Adams 2) Doug Janson - Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Range: Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia.
Habitat: Broadleaf forests.
Diet: Caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, wasps.
Conservation status: The crested jay is listed as Near Threatened because forest destruction has lead to a declining population.
