Azure jay
{{Short description|Species of bird}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Azure jay
| image = Cyanocorax caeruleus.jpg
| image_caption = In Curitiba, Brazil
| status = NT
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Cyanocorax
| species = coeruleus
| authority = (Vieillot, 1818)
| range_map = Cyanocorax caeruleus map.svg| range_map_caption = Approximate distribution in green
}}
The azure jay (Cyanocorax coeruleus) (Brazilian Portuguese: Gralha-azul, meaning blue jackdaw) is a passeriform bird of the crow family, Corvidae. It is found in the Atlantic Forest, especially with Araucaria angustifolia, in south-eastern Brazil (São Paulo to Rio Grande do Sul), far eastern Paraguay and far north-eastern Argentina. It is the state bird of Paraná.
Description
The azure jay has a total length of approximately {{cvt|40|cm}} and it weighs about {{cvt|270|g}}, and is the largest South American corvid. Its plumage is intensely blue with a contrasting black head and upper chest. Males and females are similar, although the females typically are smaller.
Its breeding season is from October to January. This bird is a social breeder. It lays 2–4 eggs and its nest is made of sticks. It is placed {{cvt|10|-|20|m}} above the ground in an Araucaria tree.
Diet
It feeds extensively on the nut-like seeds of Araucaria angustifolia, but it is not strictly limited to this, and also feeds on insects and fruit. Like other corvids, azure jays are highly intelligent. Their communication is complex, consisting of at least 14 distinct vocalizations. They form groups of 4 to 15 individuals that are well organized in hierarchies. These groups remain stable for up to two generations.
References
{{Reflist}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311002139/http://nlbif.eti.uva.nl/zma3d/detail.php?id=449&sort=taxon&type=family Cyanocorax caeruleus - azure jay specimen(s) in the ZMA]
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060102085517/http://www.rosanevolpatto.trd.br/lendagralhaazul.html A lenda da Gralha Azul The legend of the Blue Jay in Portuguese (Internet Archive copy)]
{{Corvidae|3}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q794340}}
Category:Birds of the Atlantic Forest
Category:Birds of the South Region
Category:Birds of the Selva Misionera
{{corvidae-stub}}