Kingdom Animalia Order Passeriformes Genus Cyanolyca Higher classification Cyanolyca | Phylum Chordata Family Corvidae Scientific name Cyanolyca argentigula Rank Species | |
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Similar Black‑throated jay, White‑throated jay, Black‑collared jay, Azure‑hooded jay, White‑collared jay | ||
The silvery-throated jay (Cyanolyca argentigula) is a species of bird in the family Corvidae. It is found in Costa Rica and Panama where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. The IUCN has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".
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Description
The silvery-throated jay is a distinctive small jay, unlikely to be confused with any other bird found within its range. The sexes are similar, with the adult being about 26 cm (10 in) in length including the long tail. The head is black with a narrow but obvious white supercilium, and it bears an inconspicuous crest of short stiff feathers on the forehead. The throat and breast are silvery-white, sometimes with a violet sheen. The mantle, neck and sides of breast are black which gradually blends into the dark purplish-blue of the rest of the plumage. The upper surfaces of the wings and tail are a brighter, paler shade of blue and the undersides are blackish. The irises are deep red and the bill and legs are black. The plumage of the juvenile is duller and lacks the white on the head.
Ecology
A sociable bird, it moves through the upper parts of the forest canopy in groups of four to ten. Outside the breeding season, larger groups of up to thirty may form, and they tend to roost communally, settling down for the night with much chatter. When foraging, they move methodically through the crowns of trees, searching in crevices and probing into mosses, lichens and other epiphytes. They feed on insects and other invertebrates, amphibians, lizards, fruit and berries. The breeding season is in the period March to June, but little is known about the nest and eggs of this bird.
Status
C. argentigula is native to Costa Rica and Panama where it lives in moist cloud forest at altitudes between 2,000 and 3,200 m (6,600 and 10,500 ft). It is a relatively uncommon species, and at around 3,900 square kilometres (1,500 sq mi) its total area of occupancy is small, but the population seems stable and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".