Beautiful Jay

Overview

The beautiful jay (Cyanolyca pulchra) is a monotypic species in the crow and jay family Corvidae, closely related to the azure-hooded jay. Listed as Near Threatened, the species is becoming rare due to habitat loss and its dependence on primary forest.

Identification

• Measures 27 cm in length with a black bill and black legs.
• Males are predominantly cyan-blue, becoming sky-blue almost to white from the neck to the forehead, with a black face mask meeting dark-grey across the breast.
• Females resemble males but have a brownish tinge on the upperparts, while juveniles are duller with more brown plumage.
• Vocalisations include a repeated "chew=chew-chew", along with clicks and whistles.

Habitat

Found in Colombia and Ecuador within humid montane and cloud forests, ranging from 900 to 2,300 m above sea level, though most common between 1,400 and 1,800 m. The species often associates with watercourses and marshy areas within the forests and can be found, though less commonly, around clearings and in secondary forest.

Did you know?

Only one nest has been described for this species, a cup constructed with sticks and decorated on the outside with moss and lined with thin plant fibres. The single observed clutch consisted of two eggs that were green with small brown blotches.