35cm Similarly to other Brazilian JAYs, the CURL-CRESTED JAY has white lower parts and blue and black upper parts. It may be confused with the Plush-crested JAY (Cyanocorax chrysops), but while the last presents the crest in the back of the head, the yellow iris and a blue patch around the eyes, the CURL-CRESTED JAY presents the crest on the forehead, the red iris and the head is entirely black. Whereas the Old World ravens are mostly black, as well as the crows, the Brazilan corvids are colorful and most of them have white lower parts. There are 6 species of JAYs in Brazil, all of them extremely beautiful. The CURL-CRESTED JAY is one of Brazilian’s noisiest JAYs. To make the noise louder they live in 4 do 8 individuals groups. These groups live in a fixed territory, moving through predictable paths everyday. They spend most of the time in the canopy, rarely coming to the ground. It feeds mainly on large insects and berries, but may also take other bird’s nestlings, treefrogs and lizards. There is cooperative breeding in this species. Several females may lay their eggs in the same tree hole and all the members of the group help in the nestlings’ feeding and protection.

Category: Image

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Authors: Rodrigo Girardi Santiago

Keywords: CURL-CRESTED JAY, Cyanocorax cristatellus, Passeriformes, Corvidae