- Cyanocorax yucatanicus
Identification
31 - 35cm (12½-13¾ in).
- Bulky black head with short tufted feathers on forecrown
- Black neck and upper mantle
- Cerulean blue upperparts, wings and tail
- Black underparts
- Blackish-brown eye
- Black bill
- Bright orange-yellow legs
Sexes similar. Juveniles (July-September) have a white head and underparts until the first moult some weeks after fledging. Through the first year they look like dull adults but with a bright yellow bill and orbital ring.
Similar species
Similar to Purplish-backed Jay (which has a yellow eye), San Blas Jay and Bushy-crested Jay (which have dark legs) but ranges of the four species don't overlap. Adult - black bill, black orbital ring.
Distribution
Endemic to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, north Guatemala and north Belize.
Common to fairly common in its range.
Taxonomy
Formerly placed in genus Cissilopha.
Subspecies
There are two recognized subspecies.1
- C. y. yucatanicus
- Yucatán Peninsula to Belize
- C. y. rivularis
- Tabasco and southwestern Campeche, southeastern Mexico
Habitat
Clearings and edges of dry forests. Occurs from sea-level up to 250m.
Behaviour
Usually seen in groups of 6 - 12 birds, sometimes more.
Diet
Feeds on seeds and insects.
Breeding
Lays eggs in May and June. Cooperative breeder with helpers. The nest is a flimsy platform made of sticks and twigs. It's placed 4 - 9m above the ground in a tree. Lays 4 - 6 eggs.
Movements
A sedentary species.
Gallery
Click on photo for larger image
Immature
Photo by gatafrancesca
Kabah, Yucatán, Mexico
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Yucatan Jay. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 12 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Yucatan_Jay
