White-naped Jay
Cyanocorax cyanopogon
Large jay with piercing yellow eyes and stiff forehead feathers. Note the blue patches above and below the eyes, contrasting with the black face. Favors scrubby areas and savanna, but also found in riparian forest and second growth, where usually seen in small noisy groups. Vast vocal repertoire includes a frequently-given melodic and metallic call “chyup-chyup." The similar Plush-crested Jay has a blue nape and a larger crest.
Identification
The white-naped jay (Cyanocorax cyanopogon) is a species of bird in the family Corvidae. It is endemic to Brazil - where it is known as the Gralha Cancã or the Cancão. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest. They are capable of interbreeding with plush-crested jays, and hybrids between the species have been observed. The species are visually similar and often are mistaken for each other. They sometimes serve as a food source for humans. They are also sometimes kept as pets.
Taxonomy
Genus: Cyanocorax; Family: Corvidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Cyanocorax cyanopogon
- Authority
- (Wied-Neuwied, M, 1821)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Corvidae
- Genus
- Cyanocorax
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Buff-tailed Sicklebill
Eutoxeres condamini
Heavily-streaked hummingbird with an amazing hooklike bill. It ranges in humid foothill forest along the east slope of the Andes, where it overlaps widely with the similar White-tipped Sicklebill. Both species have white tips to the tail, but note Buff-tailed’s buffy edges on the tail feathers and glittering blue or green patches on the sides of the neck. Feeds primarily on “lobster claw” Heliconia flowers and is rarely encountered away from them. Song is an extended, rollicking series of soft chirps given from a concealed perch. Not known to visit feeders.
Black-faced Pitta
Pitta anerythra
A long-legged, plump-bodied, mostly ground-dwelling bird with bluish-green wings and back, a pale aqua shoulder patch, a light peach-tawny underside and chest, a white throat, and a deep black head. On Choiseul and Santa Isabel, has a light ruddy brown crown. On Bougainville, has a black crown and brown streak behind the eye. Resident in primary forest and forest edge habitats. Unique within its range. Voice is a series of short, rising growling sounds, similar to a kettle boiling.
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinago
Squat, cryptically-plumaged shorebird with a very long bill. Inhabits a wide range of wetland habitats, from damp meadows to saltmarshes. Mostly inconspicuous, feeding in muddy ground by probing with its bill, usually near reeds or other grassy cover. Often not seen until flushed, when it usually rises from fairly close range with a rough rasping call. Breeding birds are more conspicuous, perching on fence posts. In display flight, birds stoop from high overhead and produce a pulsating, bleating sound from air passing through their fanned tail. In Asia, beware of extremely similar Pin-tailed, Swinhoe's, and Latham's Snipes, all of which lack the white trailing edge of Common and have a slower, less erratic flight.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.