jay jay species bird family found natural habitat subtropical tropical moist forest species known subspecies inches length dark blue black head upper chest head neck sky blue white border travel groups individuals join mixed species flocks secretive species difficult observe wild jay eats seeds small dead animals females lay eggs young days species listed concern meaning threatened extinction taxonomy species described american specific epithet latin word closest relative beautiful jay colombia ecuador study treated species phylogenetic analysis published confirmed close relationship species speculates geographic subsequent genetic separation species genus initiated formation valley western colombia jay subspecies found eastern mexico north central subspecies initially treated separate species later merged jay ranges southern mexico central guatemala resides western honduras nominate subspecies found costa_rica western panama description jay ranges length inches tends weigh large size frame help bird manage large flying adult dark blue black head upper chest rear crown neck sky blue white border legs bill black eyes dark red sexes similar appearance juveniles adults sky blue hood possess white bordering voice described loud bright typically repeated times known repeat nasal noise twice low hard alarm flock social calls species characterized sound nasal double distribution habitat species known costa_rica guatemala honduras southeastern mexico western panama lives humid forests interspersed pine trees found edges forests typically middle higher levels trees normally found cloud forest ecology behavior known join mixed species flocks species including known travel groups secretive species rarely coming open habit bird extremely difficult observe wild known ecology mates known process bird bending throat feathers feathers crown moving swiftly believed condition mate determined movement like species likely extremely intelligent similar species known use ants feathers clean store seeds nuts later consumption use toes hold food secretive nature characteristics observed species bird bright plumage makes easy predators find species jay feels threatened gives warning alarm diet jay eating seeds small dead animals species known steal eat bait traps set small mammals bird tends forage forest canopy reproduction jay nest typically built feet ground tree trunk base jay studied nest twigs inches long nest inches wide inside inches wide overall depending length exterior twigs nest inches deep interior constructed woven thin twigs feathers devices nest construction addition building nest jay known reuse old abandoned nests species eggs normally laid young typically raised nest april june days parents care young feed variety insects including young stay close parents conservation jay treated species concern threatened extinction large geographical range square miles km2 population believed individuals lack population decline years jay uncommon parts range believed effect bird relationship humans species observed closely related known destroy eat human planted crops cane potatoes jay appeared stamp mexico
Azure-hooded jay