Azure-hooded Jay

Overview

The azure-hooded jay (Cyanolyca cucullata) is a species of corvid found in Middle America. This large, secretive bird inhabits humid evergreen and cloud forests, ranging from southeastern Mexico to western Panama.

Identification

• Length is 11 to 12 inches (28 to 30 cm) with a weight of approximately 100 g.
• Plumage is dark blue with a black head and upper chest; the rear of the crown and nape are sky blue with a white border.
• Legs and bill are black, and the eyes are dark red; juveniles are duller and lack the white border on the hood.
• Voice includes a loud, bright eihnk-eihnk repeated four to five times, along with nasal ehr-ehn sounds and a low, gruff chek-r.

Habitat

This species resides in subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, specifically humid evergreen forests that are sometimes interspersed with pine trees. It is typically found in the middle and higher levels of the forest and requires uninterrupted cloud forest environments.

Diet

As an omnivore, the azure-hooded jay consumes berries, seeds, and small, dead animals. It tends to forage in the forest canopy and has been observed stealing bait from traps set for small mammals.

Did you know?

Mates engage in a specific preening ritual where one bird bends over in front of the other and tugs on its throat feathers, while the rapid movement of the crown feathers is believed to indicate the health of the mate.