Bird
Plush-crested Jay
Cyanocorax chrysopsAlso known as Urraca
Plush-crested jays move through tropical and subtropical forests in noisy, highly social family groups that constantly communicate with a rich repertoire of pops, whistles, and harsh calls. Their striking plumage features a dense, velvety black crest above brilliant blue eye patches and a vivid creamy-yellow belly. Extremely curious and adaptable, these intelligent corvids readily forage across canopy layers and forest edges, playing a key role in seed dispersal.
SocialVocalTropical
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyInsects, Berries, Bird Eggs
Predators
- Raptors
- Snakes
- Arboreal Mammals
ThreatsHabitat loss from deforestation, localized wild bird trade
HabitatsSubtropical and tropical dry forests, gallery forests, degraded woodland, plantations
Life span10–15 years
Classification
- FamilyCorvidae
- SpeciesCyanocorax chrysops
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Listen for Vocalizations: Listen for popping, whistle-like calls echoing through the canopy.
- Watch Forest Edges: Scan clearings and fruit trees where social flocks often forage.
- Keep Quiet Distance: Observe quietly to avoid flushing sensitive social feeding groups.
Close Relative (c) Dario Sanches, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Fernando Flores from Ciudad de México, Mexico / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableClose Relative Close Relative
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