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Birds of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AVES

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Birds (Class Aves)

-Perching Birds (Order Passeriformes)

-Crows, Jays, and Magpies (Family Corvidae)

-Magpie-Jays (Genus Calocitta)

-White-throated Magpie-Jay (Calocitta formosa)


The White-Throated Magpie-Jay (Caloccita formosa) lives from Central Mexico to Costa Rica. This bird resides in thorny scrub, savanna trees and gallery forests. Adults are approximately 45 cm (18 inches) in height. This large blue-and- white jay has a long tail. Its back, rump, and upper tail-coverts grayish-blue. Face and underparts white, bill and legs black. This bird eats insects like katydids, caterpillars, roaches and beetle grubs. They also feeds on small frogs, lizards, and fruits.

White-throated Magpie-Jay

Calocitta formosa

Diet

  • Omnivorous, feeding on insects, spiders, lizards, frogs, small mammals, eggs, nestlings, fruits, berries, seeds, nuts, nectar, and carrion.

  • Frequently raids bird nests for eggs and chicks.

  • Forages both in trees and on the ground, often in noisy family groups.

Range

  • Found along the Pacific slope from northwestern Mexico (Sonora) south through Central America to Costa Rica.

  • Common throughout western Mexico, including the Zihuatanejo region.

  • Inhabits tropical dry forests, thorn forests, woodland edges, mangroves, agricultural areas, parks, gardens, and suburban habitats.

  • A year-round resident throughout its range.

Male / Female

  • Male: White face, throat, and underparts; blue back, wings, and long tail; bold black crest and facial markings. Slightly larger than the female, with a longer crest and tail.

  • Female: Similar plumage but generally smaller, with a shorter crest and tail.

  • Sexes are very similar in appearance and are usually distinguished only by size or behaviour during the breeding season.

Size

  • Length: 46–56 cm (18–22 in), including the exceptionally long tail.

  • Wingspan: 55–65 cm (22–26 in)

  • Weight: 205–275 g

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