Beautiful jay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beautiful jay |
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| In northwestern Ecuador | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cyanolyca
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| Species: |
pulchra
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| Synonyms | |
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The beautiful jay (Cyanolyca pulchra) is a stunning bird that belongs to the crow and jay family, called Corvidae. It's known for its bright colors. This bird is a close relative of the azure-hooded jay. In fact, they are considered "sister species," meaning they are very closely related. The name pulchra comes from Latin and means "beautiful," which perfectly describes this bird!
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Where Does the Beautiful Jay Live?
The beautiful jay makes its home in the countries of Colombia and Ecuador. It loves to live in humid mountain forests, especially what are called "cloud forests." These forests are often misty and wet.
You might also spot them near open areas or in forests that have grown back after being cut down. However, they are not as common in these places. They often like to be near streams, rivers, or marshy spots within the forests.
These birds live at high altitudes. They can be found between 900 and 2,300 meters (about 2,950 to 7,550 feet) above sea level. They are most often seen between 1,400 and 1,800 meters (about 4,600 to 5,900 feet) high.
What Does the Beautiful Jay Look Like?
The beautiful jay is about 27 centimeters (10.6 inches) long. Male beautiful jays are mostly a bright cyan-blue color. This blue becomes a lighter sky-blue, almost white, from their neck up to their forehead.
They have a black "mask" on their face. This mask connects to a dark grey area across their chest. Their legs and beak are also black. Female beautiful jays look similar to males, but their upper parts might have a slight brownish tint. Young beautiful jays have even more brown feathers and look a bit duller than the adults.
What Sounds Does It Make?
Beautiful jays make a variety of interesting sounds. They have different calls, including a repeated "chew-chew-chew" sound. They also make clicking noises and whistles.
How Does the Beautiful Jay Behave?
Scientists don't know a lot about the beautiful jay's daily life. These birds usually look for food in the lower parts of the forest, called the understory. They are generally quiet and hard to spot.
So far, only one beautiful jay nest has been found and described! This nest was shaped like a cup and built with sticks. It was decorated on the outside with moss and lined with thin plant fibers. The eggs found in this nest were green with small brown spots. The single nest found contained two eggs. The baby birds left the nest about 24 days after they hatched.
Why Is the Beautiful Jay Becoming Rare?
Sadly, the beautiful jay is becoming rare. This is mainly because of habitat loss. Their forest homes are being cut down or changed. These birds rely on old, untouched forests to survive. They are also very sensitive to disturbances, meaning they don't like it when their environment is changed or when people are around too much.
