Serra do Mar Bristle-Tyrant

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.

Medium-sized tanager found in the middle to upper levels of forest edges, light woodlands, plantations, and urban parks; sometimes visits feeding stations. Males are glossy black with a concealed red crown and a white spot on the shoulder. In flight, shows white underwings. Females have a gray-brown head and are otherwise mostly cinnamon colored, paler below than above.

Large dark bird of undisturbed rainforest. Its red, crested bill is easily recognizable. It has a dark body that appears iridescent navy blue in good light, with light red legs and a buffy tail tip. Found on the ground or in trees, sometimes quite high, in mature rainforest, usually singly or in pairs. Can be quite secretive, especially in areas with a lot of human activity. Gives a sharp, metallic “pick” call that is easy to overlook, as well as low booming calls around dawn and dusk.