Bushy-crested Jay

The Bushy-crested Jay, a member of the Corvidae family, is a striking bird with a length of 28 to 30 cm. It boasts a long, graduated tail and a distinctive erectile crown of feathers on its head. Both sexes are similar in appearance, with a black head, neck, breast, and upper mantle, while the rest of the upper parts shimmer with dark blue, tinged with green or violet. The underparts are a uniform greenish-blue, with grey underwings and a blackish tail underside. The bird's beak is black and relatively small, its irises a vivid yellow, and its legs are black.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Bushy-crested Jay, look for the unique bushy crest on the head, the black and blue plumage, and the yellow irises. The bird's small stature and long tail are also key characteristics to note.

Habitat

This jay prefers humid forests, particularly those with pine and oak, as well as forest edges, glades, and scrub areas. It is quite adaptable and can be found in coffee plantations and agricultural lands where forests have been degraded.

Distribution

The Bushy-crested Jay is native to Central America, with its range including Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. It is typically found at altitudes ranging from 600 to 2,450 meters.

Behaviour

Social by nature, the Bushy-crested Jay lives in small groups. It forages in the lower tree canopy and undergrowth, often venturing to the ground to sift through leaf litter. The bird is known to be cooperative, with multiple adults and even juveniles from earlier broods participating in feeding the young.

Breeding

Nesting occurs in dense undergrowth, where twigs and plant fibers are used to construct the nest. A female lays a clutch of three to four eggs in late April or early May, and incubation is shared with another female. A remarkable number of adults, sometimes up to eleven, have been observed contributing to the care and feeding of the nestlings.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Bushy-crested Jay consists of invertebrates, seeds, nuts, and fruits, which it forages from various levels of the forest, including the ground.

Conservation status

The Bushy-crested Jay is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It appears to be adaptable, managing to thrive in both natural and human-altered environments, with a population that is believed to be increasing.