Mexican Jay
Aphelocoma wollweberi
Least ConcernAves · Passeriformes · Corvidae
About
The Mexican jay formerly known as the gray-breasted jay, is a New World jay native to the Sierra Madre Oriental, Sierra Madre Occidental, and Central Plateau of Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States. In May 2011, the American Ornithologists' Union voted to split the Mexican jay into two species, one retaining the common name Mexican jay and one called the Transvolcanic jay. The Mexican jay is a medium-sized jay with blue upper parts and pale gray underparts. It resembles the Woodhouse's scrub-jay, but has an unstreaked throat and breast. It feeds largely on acorns and pine nuts, but includes many other plant and animal foods in its diet. It has a cooperative breeding system where the parents are assisted by other birds to raise their young. This is a common species with a wide range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".
Fun Fact
Aphelocoma wollweberi gracilis Eastern Nayarit and northern Jalisco Smallest of the Western subspecies with a distinct, high-pitched vocalization.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Native to the Sierra Madre Oriental, Sierra Madre Occidental, and Central Plateau of Mexico as well as eastern Arizona, western New Mexico and western Texas in the United States.
Diet
Diet consists mainly of acorns and pine nuts, which are stored in the autumn.
Lifespan
To be updated
Threats
- Habitat Change
- Human Disturbance