Black-throated Magpie Jay

Calocitta formosa colliei

Status in the Wild: There is no precise information on the number in the wild, but they seem to be common in a restricted range.

Habitat: Deciduous open woodlands and arid scrub forests on the Pacific side of Central America. Lowland species which rarely venture above 4,000 feet.

Size/Weight: The body measures eight inches, the tail is 13.5 inches, wingspan is 16 inches; crest is 2.5 inches, beak is 1.25 inches. Weight is 225 to 251 grams.

Coloration: The body is blue and the chest is white. The long tail is bright blue and the side feathers have white tips. The head from the back of the crest down to the large chest bib is black with cheeks having blue markings. The bill is black.

Habits: This conspicuous jay can be seen perching on top of shrubs and bushes as well as inside the crowns of larger trees. They are often seen in the company of other birds of the area when feeding.

Diet: This jay is omnivorous, taking berries, fruits, invertebrates and sometimes small rodents. One foot is used to hold food while the beak is used to hammer open seeds or pick pieces from fruits and berries. These jays also cache food, returning later to eat.

Reproduction/Gestation: The long nesting season extends from November to July. They are social nesters, building untidy, bulky nests of twigs lined with mosses, lichens, and roots. The nest is placed in a thorny tree, sometimes 100 feet high. During the mating season, these jays have surprisingly sweet gurgling vocalizations as well as a variety of harsh calls more commonly heard. After nest building is finished, the female will lay 3-4 eggs flecked with brown. The female will sit on the nest and her mate and other favored birds will feed her during the incubation period. To date, the gestation period has not been recorded.