Bird Guide

Black-chested Jay vs White-throated Magpie-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
White-throated Magpie-Jay (Cyanocorax formosus)

White-throated Magpie-Jay

Cyanocorax formosus

Medium210 gWoodland

The white-throated magpie-jay is between 43 and 56 cm (17–22 in) in length and weighs 205 to 213 g (7.2–7.5 oz). The species has a particularly long tail and a slightly curved crest of feathers on the head. The crest is black in the nominate race, but has blue or white margins on the other two subspecies. The nominate race has a white face with a black crown and margin to the face, forming a narrow band around the throat, as well as a small drop below the eye. The black is less extensive in the other subspecies.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Ron Knight from Seaford, East Sussex, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

Learn this pair in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

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