Bird Guide

Black-chested Jay vs Pinyon Jay

Black-chested Jay (Cyanocorax affinis)

Black-chested Jay

Cyanocorax affinis

Medium212 gForest

Measuring 34 cm (13 in) long, this jay is easily recognized from its distinctive facial pattern and yellow eye. The head, face, and chest are mostly black with violet-blue spots above and below the eye, as well as a violet-blue malar stripe. The underparts are white as is the tip of the tail, while the upperparts and wings are mainly dark violet-blue. It does not exhibit sexual dimorphism.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Louis Imbeau · CC BY 4.0
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus)

Pinyon Jay

Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus

Medium105 gForest

The pinyon jay is a bluish-grey coloured bird with deeper head colouring and whitish throat with black bill, legs and feet. Roughly intermediate between the blue jay and the Eurasian jay in size, its overall proportions are similar to Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) and this can be seen as convergent evolution, as both birds fill similar ecological niches. They were once known as "blue crows".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: rdclark86 · CC0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Black-chested Jay and Pinyon Jay.