Plush-crested jay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Plush-crested jay |
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The plush-crested jay (scientific name: Cyanocorax chrysops) is a beautiful bird. It belongs to the Corvidae family. This family includes smart birds like crows and other jays. You can find these jays in central and southern South America. They live in countries like Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. They also live near the Amazon Basin rivers and the Pantanal, which is a huge wetland.
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What Does the Plush-Crested Jay Look Like?
The plush-crested jay is a medium-sized bird. Most of its feathers are a dark blue color. Its belly, the feathers under its tail, and the tips of its tail and wings are a creamy yellow.
Its upper chest, neck, and head are mostly black. It has lighter blue patches on its cheeks and the back of its neck. These light blue areas blend into the darker blue of its body.
This bird also has a bright yellow spot right above each eye. Its beak is dark blue or black. The most special thing about it is the rounded crest of feathers on its head. This crest is why it's called "plush-crested"!
Where Do Plush-Crested Jays Live?
Plush-crested jays live across a large part of South America. Their home stretches from southern Brazil, near Uruguay, but they stay away from the immediate coast. This coastal-inland area is about 400 to 150 kilometers wide.
Their range goes for about 3,500 kilometers from São Paulo south to Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. From there, it continues into northwestern Uruguay.
The jays also live northwest through northern Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia. You can find them in the Pantanal, a huge wetland area. Their range then splits into two directions. One part goes northwest into northern Bolivia, and the other goes northeast towards the headwaters of the Tapajós River in the Amazon Basin.
In the Amazon Basin, the jays are found in central Bolivia. This is near the rivers that flow into the Madeira River. They are also found near the headwaters of the Tapajós River and the Xingu River.
Sometimes, you might find them in separate areas, far from the main group. For example, there's a large area of plush-crested jays downstream on the Tapajós and Xingu rivers. There are also a few smaller groups along the Amazon River and the lower Madeira River.
What Do Plush-Crested Jays Eat?
Plush-crested jays are omnivorous. This means they eat both plants and animals. Their main foods are seeds, nuts, and insects. They also enjoy small invertebrates, which are tiny creatures without backbones.
Sometimes, they eat fruits or corn. If other food is hard to find, they might even eat the eggs of other birds. They can also hunt small animals like frogs or snakes.
How Do Plush-Crested Jays Behave?
Plush-crested jays do not migrate, meaning they stay in the same area all year. They often live in groups, or flocks, of about 3 to 10 birds. Sometimes, other bird species might join their flock.
In these flocks, there are usually a few pairs of birds that breed. The female bird that is breeding often leads the group. These jays build their nests in trees. They use twigs, sticks, roots, and other plant fibers to make their nests strong.
The female jay spends most of her time on the nest when she is brooding, which means keeping the eggs warm. Taking care of the nests and the young birds is often a team effort within the flock.
When looking for food, plush-crested jays usually search on the ground. They might also look for food in trees. Interestingly, they have been seen following ants back to their nests. They might do this to eat the ants or other insects that are nearby.
Images for kids
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A plush-crested jay perched on a branch.
