Cyanocorax melanocyaneus
The Bushy-crested Jay, *Cyanocorax melanocyaneus*, is a striking member of the corvid family, characterized by its glossy black plumage, vibrant blue wings and tail, and a distinctive, forward-curving crest of stiff, bristly feathers on its forehead. Measuring approximately 28-30 cm (11-12 inches) in length and weighing around 120-150 grams (4.2-5.3 ounces), it possesses a robust, medium-sized build typical of jays. Its piercing pale yellow eyes offer a stark contrast to its dark head, servin...
Primarily inhabits pine-oak forests, cloud forests, and humid montane woodlands, often found in transitional zones and forest edges at elevations typically ranging from 800 to 2,500 meters. It also adapts to disturbed areas, including shaded coffee plantations and second-growth forests.
Omnivorous, feeding on a wide range of invertebrates (insects, spiders), small vertebrates (lizards, bird eggs/nestlings), fruits, berries, and seeds, foraging primarily by gleaning from foliage, probing bark, and sometimes catching insects in flight.
Bushy-crested Jays are highly social, typically observed in noisy family groups or mixed flocks of up to a dozen individuals, maintaining constant vocal contact. Their daily activity centers on foraging from dawn till dusk, often moving through the canopy and mid-story, but also descending to the...
The Bushy-crested Jay is endemic to the highlands of northern Central America, with its primary distribution stretching from southeastern Mexico (Chiapas) through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and northern Nicaragua. Its range is somewhat disjunct, often associated with specific montane fores...
Least Concern
- The Bushy-crested Jay is a cooperative breeder, meaning several individuals beyond the parental pair help raise the young. - Its distinctive "bushy crest" is not soft plumage, but rather stiff, bristly feathers that stand erect. - These jays are known to cache food items, particularly seeds and...