Mexican jay facts for kids
The Mexican jay (Aphelocoma wollweberi) is a cool bird found in Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States. It used to be called the gray-breasted jay. This jay is a medium-sized bird with blue feathers on its back and head, and light gray feathers on its belly. It looks a bit like the Woodhouse's scrub-jay, but the Mexican jay has a plain throat and chest. These birds mostly eat acorns and pine nuts. But they also enjoy many other plant and animal foods. Mexican jays are special because they have a "cooperative breeding" system. This means other birds help the parents raise their young! This bird is quite common, so experts say it's not in danger.
Quick facts for kids Mexican jay |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Mexican jay from Madera Canyon, Arizona, Aphelocoma wollweberi arizonae. note bill color not entirely black, this is a character of the Arizona race |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Aphelocoma
|
| Species: |
wollweberi
|
| Subspecies | |
|
5, see text |
|
 |
|
Contents
About the Mexican Jay Family
Recently, scientists decided to split the Mexican jay into two different species. One kept the name Mexican jay (A. wollweberi). The other is now called the Transvolcanic jay (A. ultramarina). This change happened because the two groups look different and have been genetically separate for millions of years. They also don't seem to breed with each other. The Transvolcanic jay lives in the mountains of central Mexico. The birds to the north are still called Mexican jays.
Different Types of Mexican Jays
There are five known types, or subspecies, of the Mexican jay. These are grouped into three main categories. Scientists have noticed big differences in their size, color, and even their calls. These groups live in three separate mountain areas in Mexico.
Western Group
This group lives in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains. You can find them from northern Jalisco in Mexico up to central Arizona and southwestern New Mexico in the United States.
- Aphelocoma wollweberi gracilis
- These are the smallest of the Western jays. They have a unique, high-pitched call. You can find them in eastern Nayarit and northern Jalisco.
- Aphelocoma wollweberi wollweberi
- Aphelocoma wollweberi arizonae
- These are the largest and palest (lightest in color) of all the Mexican jay types. They live in Sonora and Chihuahua in Mexico, and up into Arizona and New Mexico in the United States.
Eastern Group
This group lives in the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains. They are found from Nuevo León and western Tamaulipas in Mexico, up to Texas (in the Chisos Mountains).
- Aphelocoma wollweberi couchii
- These jays are smaller than the previous types. They have more noticeable markings. Their eggs can be plain blue, or blue with light brown speckles. They make a rattling call, similar to other jays.
Central Plateau Group
This group lives in the Central Plateau region of Mexico. This includes areas like Queretaro, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi, and eastern Jalisco. These jays are similar to the Eastern group but are generally larger.
What the Mexican Jay Looks Like
The Mexican jay is a medium-sized bird, weighing about 120 grams. It has a blue head, blue-gray back, blue wings and tail, and a light gray chest and belly. Male and female jays look very similar. Young jays have less blue color. In some areas, young birds have a pink or pale bill instead of a black one. This bill color slowly turns black as they get older. Their eyes are brown, and their legs are black.
You can tell the Mexican jay apart from the similar Woodhouse's scrub-jay because the Mexican jay has a plain throat and chest. The colors on its back also blend more smoothly with its head and wings.
Where Mexican Jays Live
Mexican jays live in the Sierra Madre Oriental, Sierra Madre Occidental, and Central Plateau mountain ranges in Mexico. They are also found in eastern Arizona, western New Mexico, and western Texas in the United States. They prefer to live in mountain forests that have both pine and oak trees.
Mexican Jay Life and Habits
What Mexican Jays Eat
In the winter, Mexican jays mostly eat acorns and pine nuts. They collect and store these nuts in the autumn. But these birds eat all sorts of things throughout the year! Their diet includes many different plants and animals. They eat insects, small amphibians (like frogs), reptiles (like lizards), and even the eggs and babies of other birds.
How Mexican Jays Raise Their Young
Mexican jays have a special way of raising their babies called "cooperative breeding." This means that several birds help out at a nest. These "helpers" are usually young birds from the same parents, from the past year or two. But sometimes, other birds from the flock, who are not related, also help. They all work together to make sure the young birds grow up strong.
