White-tailed Jay
Cyanocorax mystacalis
The White-tailed Jay (Cyanocorax mystacalis) is a rare crows, jays, and magpi found in 2 countries, weighing about 154 g. The white-tailed jay, also known as the moustached jay, is a species of bird in the crow family Corvidae.
About the White-tailed Jay
The white-tailed jay, also known as the moustached jay, is a species of bird in the crow family Corvidae. It is found in Ecuador and Peru. It has a black face with white spots above and below the eyes, and a small white moustachial stripe. It has a white nape, belly, and underparts. Its back and wings are greyish-blue, extending most of the way down the tail. The rectrices and tail tip are white. It has several calls, the most common being described as "cha-cha-cha-cha".
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The white-tailed jay is overall white and bluish, with a black head. Its face is mostly black, with a small white spot above the eye, a small white moustachial stripe, and a somewhat larger white spot on the cheek. It has a white nape and belly. The back and wings are a greyish-blue, which extends down the top of the tail. The rectrices, tail tip, and underside of the tail are white. It has bright yellow irises. There are no visual differences between the sexes. Juveniles have brown irises and lack both the white spot above the eye and the moustachial stripe.
What the White-tailed Jay sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The White-tailed Jay can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a White-tailed Jay?
- The white-tailed jay is overall white and bluish, with a black head. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a White-tailed Jay?
- The White-tailed Jay is a medium sized bird weighing about 154 g.
- Where can you see a White-tailed Jay?
- The White-tailed Jay occurs in 2 countries, including Peru and Ecuador.
- What does a White-tailed Jay sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the White-tailed Jay on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a White-tailed Jay?
- The White-tailed Jay is most easily confused with the White-naped Jay, the Purplish-backed Jay and the San Blas Jay.
- Is the White-tailed Jay endangered?
- The White-tailed Jay is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the White-tailed Jay for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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