Green Jay (us-RGV)
From WikiBird
Contents |
Regional Information
Range, Abundance, and Seasonal Variations
Green Jays are widely distributed in south Texas and are found in areas of natural brush and woodlands. They are common year-round although they are very secretive when nesting. As a result they can be more difficult to find in summer.
Directions and Maps
Green Jays are widely distributed through the Rio Grande Valley and the Tamaulipan Brushlands. They can be readily found at Bentsen State Park, Estero Llano Grande, Hugh Ramsey Park, Salineno, and many other sites.
General Information
Size
Length: ??cm (??in), Wingspan: ??cm (??in)
Field Marks
Yellowish-white with blue tips on the top of the head, cheeks and nape, though some forms have more blue than others. The breast and underparts have a bright yellow hue, fading to cream in worn plumage. The upper parts of this bird appear rich green. Long, blue-green tail with yellow outer tail feathers. Sturdy, dark bill. The birds have especially large nasal bristles that form a distinct crest in some of the geogaphical forms, but have developed less in others. A black bib forms a thick band up to the sides of the head as well as a stripe through the eye line and one above it.
Similar species
None
Sounds
Extensive voice repertoire. The bird's most common call makes a rassh-rassh-rassh sound, but many other unusual notes also occur. One of the most distinctive calls sounds like an alarm bell.
Feeding & Behavior
Feed on a wide range of insects and other invertebrates, as well as on acorns and various cereal grains. They take ebony seeds where these occur, and also any oak species' acorns, as this jay will readily store them for hard times. Meat and human scraps add to the diet when opportunity arises.
Habitat & Nesting
Usually build a nest in a tree or in a thorny bush or thicket, and the female lays 3 to 5 eggs. Only the female incubates, but both parents take care of the young. Green Jays were studied at Santa Ana NWR and it was found that young Green Jays remain with the parents and help defend the nesting territory for a year but do not assist at the nest.
Range
From southern Texas south into Mexico and Central America, with a break before the species reappears in a broad sweep across the north of the South American continent in Colombia and Venezuela. United States range restricted to southern Texas.
Resources
