White-naped Jay Cyanocorax cyanopogon Scientific name definitions

A Brazilian endemic, the White-naped Jay was formerly considered conspecific with the more southerly distributed Plush-crested Jay (Cyanocorax chrysops). The present species largely inhabits dry scrubby caatingas and cerrado woodland, to at least 1100 m, but it is also recorded at the borders of tropical deciduous forest and in riparian woodland. The plumage is predominantly dark, with a broad white tail tip and posterior underparts, large grayish-white nape patch, and relatively small blue postocular and malar spots. Given the species’ relative abundance, its breeding biology and natural history are generally rather poorly known, in common with many other northeast Brazilian endemics. However, it takes both fruits and winged insects, and the clutch is apparently two eggs, although there is no scientific description of the nest and eggs. White-naped Jay is generally common over much of its range, although there is apparently evidence for some declines locally.

35 cm; 110–160 g (1 Olmos, F., and C. Albano (2012). As aves da região do Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara (Piauí, Brasil). Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 20(3):173–187. Close ). Feathers of forehead stiff, becoming softer and velvety in texture over crown and forming a soft, velvet-like, but not bulging cap. Forecrown and crown are black, side of head , side of neck, throat and breast sepia, small ultramarine-blue (heavily washed white) spot above eye , small pure ultramarine spot below rear eye, dark cyan-blue malar patch (hardly distinguishable from side of head); nape and hindneck white, hindneck slightly tinged blue on some individuals (those on upper R Xingu more heavily tinged blue), upperparts greyish horn, upperwing dull dark brown, tail sepia with wide white at tips of all feathers (narrowest, but still broad, on central pair, widest on outermost); underparts below breast whitish, slightly tinged cream on some individuals; iris bright yellow; bill and legs blackish. Sexes similar. Juvenile has very small, dull eye spots and narrower and duller malar stripe than adult.

Inhabits mostly dry scrub areas (caatinga) and dry forest (cerrado), at 400–1100 m. In a transect from caatinga to cerrado in NE Minas Gerais, however, this species was replaced by Cyanocorax cristatellus; in another study, exhibited high relative abundance in two caatinga sites. Also, in southeastern Tocantins, present species had significantly lower abundance than Cyanocorax cristatellus in cerrado sites. Commonly seen in riparian forest, secondary woodland, and at borders of tropical deciduous forest.

Sedentary.

Poorly documented. In a disturbed environment of Mato Grosso state, diet consists of animal items (59%, mainly ants and spiders), fruits, flowers and seeds of 11 plant species (28%) and food-waste (13%); food-waste is constantly consumed, even when other food sources are available; foraging is mainly on the ground (3 Barros, R.A.M., Costa, C.A. and Pascotto, M.C. (2014). Diet and feeding behavior of the White-naped Jay, Cyanocorax cyanopogon (Wied, 1821) (Aves, Passeriformes, Corvidae) in a disturbed environment in central Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Biology. 74(4): 899–905. Close ). Flying termites (Isoptera) and fruits of Cereus jamacaru (1 Olmos, F., and C. Albano (2012). As aves da região do Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara (Piauí, Brasil). Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 20(3):173–187. Close ) recorded in NE Brazil. Seems regularly to visit plantations near human settlements.

Large repertoire seems very similar to that of C. chrysops, but not studied in detail. Most frequently heard call in the field a melodic and metallic "chyup-chyup". Includes imitations of other bird species, such as Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima). Subsong (sotto voce) recorded in field, apparently more frequently given outside reproduction context than is the case with C. chrysops.

No documented details. One unconfirmed report from local people suggests that nest is poorly built, placed 3 m above ground, and that clutch contains up to two eggs.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Common over parts of its range. Evidence of some decline in Bahia state, perhaps a result of trapping for cagebird trade. Recent expansion into state of Espírito Santo evidently due to deforestation