A jaw-dropping tropical jay — emerald-green back, lemon-yellow underparts, blue-and-black head pattern. The northernmost member of an otherwise tropical jay family.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The Inca jay is a bird species of the New World jays, which is native to the Andes of South America. It is widely known as querrequerre in Spanish, an onomatopoeic name derived from the bird's call.
Source: Wikipedia — Inca jay Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Spectacular medium-sized jay: green back and breast; brilliant blue head with black face mask; yellow outer tail feathers.
Similar species. No other green corvid in US. Brown Jay (much larger, brown). Mexican Jay (blue-gray).
Voice. Variety of harsh "cheh-cheh-cheh" calls and quieter mimicry of other birds.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Omnivorous: insects, fruits, seeds, small vertebrates, eggs. Among the few birds documented using tools — has been observed using twigs to extract insects from bark.
Behavior. In US, restricted to South Texas thornscrub (Rio Grande Valley). Cooperative breeders — juveniles remain with parents for over a year, helping defend territory and feed younger siblings. Highly social, intelligent corvids.
§ Range
South Texas into Central and South America
§ Habitat
Tropical thorn forest, mesquite savanna
§ Threats
South Texas brush country loss to agriculture and development.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the green jay is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support south Texas brush country conservation. Donate to Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Inca jay
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Cyanocorax yncas
- IUCN Red List · taxon 22705733
- iNaturalist · taxon 14004
- eBird · grnjay
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Cyanocorax yncas
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab — All About Birds
- Texas Parks and Wildlife
- Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival
- IUCN Red List 2018
