Turquoise jay - Wikipedia

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turquoise_jay

Turquoise jay
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The turquoise jay (Cyanolyca turcosa) is a species of bird in the

family Corvidae.

Turquoise jay

The turquoise jay is a vibrant blue jay with a black face mask and
collar. It is found exclusively in South America throughout southern
Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru. The turquoise jay prefers a
humid habitat of montane evergreen forests and elfin forests with
both primary and secondary growth. This bird is omnivorous and is
known to eat insects, berries, eggs, and young birds of other species.
Turquoise jays are nonmigratory and tend to travel in mixed flocks.
Conservation status

Contents
1 Taxonomy
1.1 Order and family
1.2 Related species
2 Description
3 Distribution and habitat
4 Behavior
4.1 Diet
4.2 Breeding
5 References

Taxonomy
Order and family

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]

Scientific classification
Kingdom:

Animalia

Phylum:

Chordata

Class:

Aves

Order:

Passeriformes

Family:

Corvidae

Genus:

Cyanolyca

Species:

C. turcosa
Binomial name

Cyanolyca turcosa
The order Passeriformes, commonly referred to as perching birds,
is perhaps the largest and most diverse order of birds. These birds are
found worldwide, excluding Antarctica, but have their highest
concentration in the tropics. Their sizes range from just a few grams
to over a kilogram in weight, and they are generally colorful
songbirds.

(Bonaparte, 1853)

Synonyms
Xanthura turcosa

The family Corvidae is in the order Passeriformes and includes the

jays, magpies, and crows. Most of the birds are strongly built, are stout-billed, and are some of the largest
birds in Passeriformes order. In most cases there exists no sexual dimorphism. Corvids have loud, harsh
voices and an advanced social organization. Individuals in a colony will take care of one another and
generally a pair will mate for life. Corvids can be destructive; often they rob nests and ruin crops, however
they are extremely intelligent and are resourceful scavengers. There are over 120 known species in the
family Corvidae.

Related species
Similar species include the beautiful jay, the black-collared jay, and the white-collared jay. The turquoise jay

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is sympatric with the black-collared jay; both inhabit northwestern South America, though the blackcollared jay is less green in color and has a much longer tail. The white-collared jay is also prevalent in
northwestern South America, but differs in appearance from the turquoise jay by a white forecrown, black
undertail, thin white collar, and general darker blue color. The beautiful jay is a rare jay that exists only on a
thin strip of the western Andes between Colombia and Ecuador. It is different from the turquoise jay by a
darker color overall, smaller size, and the absence of a black collar. The turquoise jay has no subspecies.

Description

Guango Lodge, Ecuador

There exists no sexual dimorphism within the species. Adult

turquoise jays are mainly a vibrant, blue-green color that can change
depending on the lighting. The underside of the wings and tail are
black. The turquoise jay has a thick, black face mask that extends to
the auriculars and connects to a thin, black collar the wraps around
the throat but does not extend around the nape of the neck. The
forecrown of the turquoise jay is very light and almost white in color.
The iris of the bird is brown while the legs, feet, and bill are all
black. Juveniles have a duller color overall and lack the thin, black
collar.

Measurements:
Total Length: 32 cm
Wing Length: 137 mm
Tail Length: 142 mm
Bill Length: 34 mm
Tarsus Length: 39 mm
The primary vocalization of the turquoise jay is a short, descending whistle that is often heard in series. The
tone of the whistle is loud and slightly hissy. Other sounds the turquoise jay can make include popping,
squeaking, hissing, and static noises.

Distribution and habitat

The turquoise jay is endemic to South America. It is found along the western Andes Mountains from
southern Colombia to northern Peru, mostly at elevations between 20003000 feet, depending on the
country; in Colombia, the turquoise jay is normally found between 26003000 feet, while in Ecuador it can
be found at an elevation as low as 2000 feet. This bird prefers humid environments with densely tangled
trees and shrubs and forests with primary or secondary growth. The turquoise jay is found in tall, montane
evergreen forests and short elfin forests with thick vegetation. It is also found in semi-degraded habitats. The
conservation status of this bird is rated least concern because the populations in its geographic range are
relatively stable. This bird is considered common within its geographic range.

Behavior
Diet
The turquoise jay is omnivorous. Though little is known about the diet, the jay is confirmed to eat insects,
berries, eggs, and the young of other birds. Like other jays, the turquoise jay will explore the midstory and
canopy of trees in search of food, examining the vegetation along the way.

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Breeding
Little is known about the breeding habits of turquoise jays. The nests are generally constructed of moss and
are built in the forks of branches near the crowns of trees. The areas in which nests are found are generally
isolated and located centrally in the tree. Multiple individuals build the nest and care for the young. The
male will generally feed and care for the female while she is incubating the eggs.

References
1. BirdLife International (2012). "Cyanolyca turcosa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2.
International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Cyanolyca turcosa

(http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species
/overview?p_p_spp=517996)
Britannica: Academic Edition. Corvidae (http://www.britannica.com
/EBchecked/topic/139000/Corvidae)
Tree of Life. Passeriformes (http://www.tolweb.org/Passeriformes)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org
/w/index.php?title=Turquoise_jay&oldid=756158932"
Categories: IUCN Red List least concern species Cyanolyca
Birds described in 1853

illustration by Keulemans, 1877

This page was last modified on 22 December 2016, at 10:54.

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