Tufted jay
Cyanocorax dickeyi
The tufted jay (Cyanocorax dickeyi), also known as the painted jay and Dickey's jay, is a species of bird in the crow family Corvidae.
About the Tufted jay
The tufted jay (Cyanocorax dickeyi), also known as the painted jay and Dickey's jay, is a species of bird in the crow family Corvidae. It is endemic to a small area of the Sierra Madre Occidental in the Mexican states of Sinaloa, Durango, and Nayarit. A distinctive large jay, it has a prominent dark crest on its head; purplish blue back, wings, and face; a white spot above the eye and on the cheek; white undersides; and a partially white tail. Its typical call is a quick, four-note vocalization. The relationship between the tufted jay and other members of the genus Cyanocorax has been a subject of interest since the species was first described in 1935. Because of the visual similarities between the tufted jay and the white-tailed jay, the two were thought by some to be closely related. A 2
Fun Facts About Tufted jay
- A 2010 mitochondrial DNA study has shown that the tufted jay is most closely related to a group of South American jays, despite their ranges being separated by over 2,000 km (1,200 mi).
- Its population is decreasing, with an estimated 10,000–20,000 mature individuals in the wild.
- It forms social flocks centred around a single breeding pair, with some flocks remaining together over several generations.
- The tufted jay's breeding season starts in late March, with a clutch of two to five eggs being laid in a nest that is cooperatively built by members of the flock.
- The tufted jay lives in pine-oak forests, often remaining high in the canopy.
Conservation Status
The Tufted jay is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. This species faces threats that could impact its population if conservation measures are not maintained.
Taxonomy & Classification
| Order | passerines |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Cyanocorax |
| Species | Cyanocorax dickeyi |
Range & Habitat
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