Unicolored Jay
Aphelocoma unicolor
Well-named, this uniformly deep-blue jay occurs locally in highland evergreen and pine-evergreen forest. Like most jays, usually found in groups, often in association with mixed-species feeding flocks that include orioles, woodcreepers, and other jay species. Most likely confused with southern forms of Steller’s Jay, which occur in the same areas. Steller’s has bold white face spots, darker plumage with barring on wings, and short crest (which can be held flat). Also note rather different voices.
Identification
The unicolored jay (Aphelocoma unicolor) is a species of bird in the family Corvidae, the crows and jays. It is found in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.
Taxonomy
Genus: Aphelocoma; Family: Corvidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Aphelocoma unicolor
- Authority
- (Du Bus de Gisignies, 1847)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Corvidae
- Genus
- Aphelocoma
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Streak-headed Honeyeater
Pycnopygius stictocephalus
A medium-sized honeyeater of lowland and foothill forest edge and gardens. Upperparts dark brown and lower parts gray-brown. Dark head has thin white streaking on the crown and a distinctive white stripe on the face. Thought to mimic the appearance of the New Guinea Friarbird, but Streak-headed Honeyeater is much smaller. Also similar to the juvenile Brown Oriole, but Streak-headed Honeyeater lacks the streaking on the throated and chest. Varied vocalizations including series of repeated notes or strong, whistled, short phrases.
Whiskered Yuhina
Yuhina flavicollis
Distinguished-looking small songbird with a brown mohawk of a crest. Brown above and white below with an orange nape and a small black mustache stripe. Slender white eye crescents give it a “spectacled” appearance on top of a whiskered one. Like other yuhinas, a very social bird, often seen foraging in the lower and middle levels of hilly broadleaf forests, sometimes with other species. Calls are usually an explosive pair or triad of notes that can be likened to “pee-bee!” or “pee-ah-bee!”
Green Racquet-tail
Prioniturus luconensis
A rare medium-sized parrot of lowland and foothill forest on Luzon. The two central tail feathers have extended shafts ending in a racket shape. Overall green in color, slightly darker on the back, with paler head and underparts and a pale bill. Male is more yellowish-green in color. Overlaps geographically with Luzon Racquet-tail, but Green is found at lower elevations and lacks the brownish back. Also overlaps with Blue-naped Parrot, but has a pale rather than red bill. Voice consists of ringing metallic squawks.
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