Plush-crested Jay

Overview

The plush-crested jay (Cyanocorax chrysops) is a medium-sized bird belonging to the family Corvidae. It is native to central-southern South America, where it is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Medium-sized bird with overall dark blue plumage and a rounded crest on the head.
• Black upper breast, neck, and head contrasted with a cream-yellow underbelly, undertail coverts, and underwings.
• Lighter blue cheeks and nape with a distinct spot above the yellow eyes.
• Bill is dark blue to black.

Habitat

Found in southwestern Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina, including southern regions of the Amazon Basin river systems bordering the Pantanal. The range extends from the Southern Region of Brazil approaching the South Atlantic coast but avoiding it, inland through northern Argentina and Paraguay, and into northwestern Bolivia and the headwaters of the Tapajós River.

Diet

Omnivorous, eating primarily seeds, nuts, insects, small invertebrates, and sometimes fruits or maize. Depending on food availability, they may also take other species' eggs and small animals such as frogs or snakes. Foraging occurs on the ground or occasionally in trees, with observations of following ants back to their nests to eat them or nearby insects.

Did you know?

The species exhibits cooperative breeding, where several members of the flock act as 'helpers' by bringing food to the brood, disposing of fecal matter, and defending the nest from predators.