Birdsong field guide
Black-throated Magpie-Jay
Cyanocorax colliei
A large, spectacular corvid known for its exceptionally long tail and prominent forward-curving crest, endemic to the Pacific slope of Mexico.
What it sounds like
A diverse and loud repertoire of raucous screeches, melodic whistles, and rhythmic, mechanical clicking sounds.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto
Field notes
- The tail can measure up to 60 centimeters, often accounting for more than half of the bird's total length.
- They practice cooperative breeding, where juvenile 'helpers' from previous years assist the breeding pair in raising new chicks.
- The distinctive crest is composed of long, recurved feathers that can be manipulated to signal social status or agitation.
- Highly intelligent and vocal, these jays are known to mimic the calls of other birds and various environmental sounds.
- They form complex social groups that forage together, utilizing a wide-ranging omnivorous diet including fruit, insects, and small vertebrates.
Habitat
Tropical deciduous forests, thorn scrub, and semi-open woodlands.
Range
Endemic to Northwestern Mexico, ranging from southern Sonora south to Colima and Jalisco.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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