Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 11.4 in
29 cm - Weight
- 2.3–3.9 oz
66–110 g
Other Names
- Geai vert (French)
- Queisque verde, Shara verde, Urraca de montana, Picahayote (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- The Central American and South American populations of the Green Jay are separated by 1,500 km (900 mi). The two different groups differ in color, calls, and habitat use, and may be different species. The South American Green Jays are larger and have a crest in front of their eyes.
- A Texas Green Jay flock consists of a breeding pair, the current year's nestlings, and one-year-old, non-breeding jays from the previous year's nest. The one-year-olds defend the territory, which aids the parents, but they are ejected from the family flock soon after the current year's nestlings have fledged.
- In Colombia, the Green Jay retains offspring for several years, and those young help the parents raise more chicks.
Habitat
Open Woodland
In Texas, uses open woodland and brushy mesquite thickets. In rest of range found in humid forests.
Food
Omnivore
Arthropods, vertebrates, seeds, and fruit.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Egg Description
- Pale greenish white with dark spots near large end.
- Condition at Hatching
- Naked and helpless.
Nest Description
Flimsy open cup of thorny twigs, lined with fine roots, vine stems, moss, and dry grass.
Nest Placement
Tree
Behavior
Foliage Gleaner
Conservation
Least Concern
Expanding range in Texas.
Credits
- Gayou, D. C. 1995. Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas). In The Birds of North America, No. 187 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.