Beautiful jay

Cyanolyca pulchra

Photo by Andrew Spencer (Facebook)

Common name:
beautiful jay (en); gaio-formoso (pt); geai superbe (fr); chara hermosa (es); schmuckhäher (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Corvidae

Range:
This species is found in the western slopes of the Andes, from central Colombia to northern Ecuador.

Size:
These birds are about 27 cm long.

Habitat:
The beautiful jay is found in subtropical rainforests, favouring areas with dense understorey, particularly along watercourses and in marshy areas. They occur at altitudes of 900-2.300, favouring dense

Diet:
They forage on the forest understorey, taking arthropods such as grasshoppers, dragonflies, butterflies, spider, centipedes, ticks and mites.

Breeding:
Beautiful jays breed in March-June. They nest in a cup made of sticks and moss, and lined with fine plant fibres, which is placed in a small tree or scrub, about 3 m above the ground. The female lays 2 eggs. there is no information regarding the incubation period, but the chicks are fed by both parents and fledge about 24 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - NT (Near-Threatened)
This species has a relatively large breeding range, but is described as rare and patchily distributed. The population is suspected to be declining at a slow to moderate rate due to ongoing habitat loss. The beautiful jay is extremely sensitive to human disturbance and appears almost exclusively dependent upon primary forest which are threatened by unplanned colonisation following the completion of roads, and massive logging concessions, as well as cattle-grazing, mining and coca and palm cultivation. In Chocó, 40% of all forests have been cleared or degraded since the 1960s.

Crested jay

Platylophus galericulatus

Photo by Johannes Pfleiderer (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
crested jay (en); gaio-de-poupa (pt); geai longup (fr); arrendajo crestado (es); haubenhäher (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Corvidae

Range:
This species is found in southern Thailand and Malaysia, and in the Indonesian islands of Borneo, Java and Sumatra.

Size:
These birds are 31-33 cm long and weigh 80-115 g.

Habitat:
The crested jay is mostly found in lowland primary rainforests, also using tall secondary forests and mountain rainforests. They occur from sea level up to an altitude of 1.800 m.

Diet:
They feed on various invertebrates, including caterpillars and millipedes.

Breeding:
Crested jays breed in June-March. The nest is a solid cup made of twigs and lined with fine fern strips, placed on a secondary branch of small tree, about 2 m above the ground. There the female lays 1-2 dirty white to light blue-green eggs with reddish-brown spots. There is no information regarding the incubation and fledging periods.

Conservation:
IUCN status - NT (Near-Threatened)
This species has a very large breeding range and is considered locally common. The population is suspected to be declining at a moderately rapid rate due to current rates of deforestation within their range, mainly because of illegal logging, land conversion for agriculture and forest fires. The magnitude of these threats may be allayed by the tolerance that crested jays show for hill and sub-mountain forests, which are under less pressure from logging and agricultural conversion.

Taiwan magpie

Urocissa caerulea

Photo by R.S. Chiou (Flickr)

Common name:
Taiwan magpie (en); pega-da-Formosa (pt); pirolle de Taïwan (fr); urraca de Formosa (es); dickschnabelkitta (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Corvidae

Range:
This species is endemic to Taiwan, being found throughout most of the island with the exception of the western coast and the central mountains.

Size:
These birds are 63-68 cm long, including the 40 cm long tail. They weigh 250-260 g.

Habitat:
The Taiwan magpie is found in moist broadleaved forests, at altitudes of 300-1.200 m.

Diet:
They are omnivorous, taking a wide range of invertebrates but also various berries and figs.

Breeding:
Taiwan magpies breed in May-July. They are monogamous and show cooperative breeding, with several helpers, presumably young from the previous year, helping the breeding pair raise the new clutch. Both sexes participate in building the nest, a bowl made of twigs and other plant material which is usually placed is a tree branch located high in the canopy. The female lays 3-8 olive-green eggs with dark brown markings which she incubates alone for 17-19 days. The chicks fledge about 30 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a relatively large breeding range and is reported to be not uncommon, with a very rough estimate placing the population size in the range of 100-100.000 breeding pairs. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Spotted nutcracker

Nucifraga caryocatactes

Photo by Fabrizio Moglia (Flickr)

Common name:
spotted nutcracker (en); quebra-nozes (pt); cassenoix moucheté (fr); cascanueces común (es); tannenhäher (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Corvidae

Range:
This species is found from eastern France and northern Italy east to northern Greece and north to southern Sweden and Finland, and throughout most of Russia into Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, northern Mongolia, north-eastern China, Korea and Japan. Is is also present in central and southern China and along the Himalayas into Nepal, extreme northern India, northern Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Size:
These birds are 29-36 cm long and have a wingspan of 49-55 cm. They weigh 125-200 g.

Habitat:
The spotted nutcracker is mostly found in boreal coniferous forests, but also use temperate and tropical forests as well as urban parks.

Diet:
They feed on various seeds and nut, particularly of pines and spruces, but also hazelnuts and walnuts. They also take some insects and berries.

Breeding:
Spotted nutcrackers breed in March-June. They are believed to be monogamous and pairs bonds last several years. The nest is built by both sexes, consisting of a platform made of small twigs with an inner bowl made of decaying wood, juniper bark and lichen, lined with dry grass. It is usually placed high up in a conifer, up to 25 m above the ground. The female lays 2-5 eggs which are incubated by both parents for 18-22 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 21-26 days after hatching, but remain with the parents for another 4 months. They reach sexual maturity at 1-2 years of age.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and the global population is estimated at 2,5-10,3 million individuals. The population is suspected to be in decline in parts of its Asian range as a result of forest destruction, namely in Taiwan. However, in Europe available data indicates a stable trend over the last 3 decades.

Grey treepie

Dendrocitta formosae

Photo by Cherry Wong (Oriental Bird Images)

Common name:
grey treepie (en); pega-arbórea-cinzenta (pt); témia de Swinhoe (fr); urraca gris (es); graubrust-baumelster (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Corvidae

Range:
This species is found in south-eastern Asia, from the Himalayas in northern India into central and eastern China and south to northern Thailand and Laos.

Size:
These birds are 37-40 cm long and weigh 90-120 g.

Habitat:
The grey treepie is mostly found in mountain rainforests, also using rainforests at lower altitudes, temperate forests, moist scrublands, second growths and arable land.

Diet:
They are omnivorous, taking various invertebrates and small vertebrates, as well as seeds, nectar, fruits and berries.

Breeding:
Grey treepies nest in a flimsy platform made of sticks and lined with fine plant materials. It is usually placed in a tree 2-6 m above the ground, although in some cases they may nest on the ground. The female lays 2-5 pale green eggs with dark spots, which are incubated by both parents for 16-20 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 2-3 weeks after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is reported to be fairly common to common. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to presumably ongoing habitat destruction on Hainan.

Common raven

Corvus corax

Photo by Frank Vassen (Wikipedia)

Common name:
common raven (en); corvo-comum (pt); grand corbeau (fr); cuervo común (es); kolkrabe (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Corvidae

Range:
This species is found throughout most of Europe, Asia and North America, with the exceptions of northern Greenland, northern Siberia, the south-eastern United States, south-east Asia and Japan. They are also found in northern Africa from Morocco to Libya.

Size:
These birds are 56-78 cm long and have a wingspan of 100-150 cm. They weigh 0,7-1,7 kg.

Habitat:
The common raven is found in a wide range of habitats including temperate and tropical forests, grasslands, scrublands, rocky areas, coastal areas, tundra and hot deserts. They can occur from sea level up to an altitude of 6.300 m.

Diet:
They are highly opportunistic, most often taking carrion, but also insects, small vertebrates, seeds and grains, fruits and human waste.

Breeding:
Common ravens breed in February-August. They are monogamous and tend to mate for life. The nest is a deep owl made of large sticks and twigs, lined with roots, ark, mud and sometimes fur. It is placed in a large tree, cliff ledge or less often on an abandoned building. The female lays 3-7 pale bluish-green eggs with brown blotches, which she incubates alone for 18-25 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 5-7 weeks after hatching, remaining with their parents for another 6 months after fledging.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and the global population is estimated to be over 16 million individuals. Populations is North America and most of Europe have undergone moderate to large increases in recent decades.

Western scrub-jay

Aphelocoma californica

(Photo from Wikipedia)

Common name:
western scrub-jay (en); gaio-da-Califórnia (pt); geai buissonnier (fr); chara californiana (es); Kalifornienhäher (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Corvidae

Range:
This species is found in the western United States, from Oregon to Wyoming and south to southern California and Texas, and also in Mexico as far south as Oaxaca.

Size:
These birds are 27-31 cm long and have a wingspan of about 40 cm. They weigh 70-100 g.

Habitat:
The western scrub-jay is mostly found in dry scrublands, but also uses open woodlands and tropical moist forests, mangroves, and rural and sub-urban gardens. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 3.000 m.

Diet:
During spring and summer they feed mainly on insects, fruits, small vertebrates such as frogs and lizards, and the eggs of other birds. During autumn and winter they feed mostly on nuts, seeds, grains and berries.

Breeding:
Western scrub-jays breed in March-July. The nest is built by both sexes, consisting of a sturdy basket made of twigs, lined with rootlets, fine strands of plant fibres, and livestock hair. The nest is placed on a tree or scrub, 1-10 m above the ground. The female lays 1-5 pale green or pale grey eggs with brown and olive blotches, which she incubates alone for 16-19 days. The chicks fledge 17-19  days after hatching. Each pair raises a single brood per season.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and a global population estimated at 2 million individuals. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Green jay

Cyanocorax yncas

Photo by Dorgelis Alcocer (Facebook)

Common name:
green jay (en); gaio-verde (pt); geai vert (fr); chara verde (es); grünhäher (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Corvidae

Range:
This species is found in two separate population, one from southern Texas, in the United States, down to northern Honduras, and another from northern Venezuela and along the slopes of the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru down to central Bolivia.

Size:
These birds are 25-31 cm long and have a wingspan of 35-40 cm. They weigh 65-110 g.

Habitat:
The green jay is mostly found in tropical rainforests, both in lowlands and mountainous areas, moist scrublands and dry savannas, but also in high-altitude scrublands and dry scrublands. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 3.000 m.

Diet:
They are omnivorous eating arthropods, small vertebrates, fruits, berries, seeds and nuts. Their prey includes beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, bugs, wasps, spiders, centipedes, small rodents, lizards and the eggs and young of small birds.

Breeding:
Green jays are monogamous and nest in a bulky but loose cup of sticks and thorny twigs, lined with rootlets, grass, moss, and sometimes leaves. The nest is placed in a dense tree or scrub, usually placed 2-5 m above the ground. The female lays 3-5 greenish-white eggs with dark spot, which she incubates alone for 17-18 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 19-22 days after hatching. The young may remain in the parental territory until the following breeding season, and may even help feed the next brood.

Conservation:
IUCN status -  LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range. There is no information regarding the trend of the global population, but the green jay is increasing and expanding in range in the United States.

Black-headed jay

Garrulus lanceolatus

Photo by Srimonti Dutta (Oriental Bird Images)

Common name:
black-headed jay (en); gaio-de-cabeça-preta (pt); geai lancéolé (fr); arrendajo cabecinegro (es); strichelhäher (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Corvidae

Range:
This species is found along the southern foothills of the Himalayas mountain range, from western Afghanistan and northern Pakistan, through northern India and into Nepal.

Size:
These birds are 30-35 cm long and weigh 85-105 g.

Habitat:
The black-headed jay is mostly found in mixed oak-pine and oak-cedar forests, but also in scrublands, arable land and sometimes goes near human settlements. They are present at altitudes of 1.500-4.000 m.

Diet:
They are omnivorous, eating mainly invertebrates and small vertebrates such as small lizards, eggs and nestlings of small birds, but also seeds, acorns and berries.They also scavenges discarded food scraps near villages.

Breeding:
Black-headed jays breed in April-July. The nest is built by both sexes, consisting of a deep, loose foundation of twigs, lined with rootlets, grass stems and rhizoids similar to horsehair. It is placed in a fork in a tree or large scrub, 5-7 m above the ground. The female lays 3-5 eggs, which she incubates alone for 16 days while being fed by the male. The chicks fledge 3 weeks after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is reported to be relatively common, although less so in Nepal. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Fan-tailed raven

Corvus rhipidurus

Photo by René Larsen (Flickr)

Common name:
fan-tailed raven (en); corvo-de-cauda-curta (pt); corbeau à queue courte (fr); cuervo colicorto (es); borstenrabe (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Corvidae

Range:
This species is found in the Middle East and north-eastern Africa, from Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia to the Central African Republic, Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya.

Size:
These birds are 47 cm long and have a wingspan of 102-120 cm. They weigh 340-610 g.

Habitat:
The fan-tailed raven is found arid and semi-arid regions, especially near cliffs or crags suitable for nesting and in dry savannas and scrublands, grasslands, near freshwater springs and oasis, and also in pastures, arable land, rural gardens and urban areas. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 4.000 m.

Diet:
They forage on the ground, taking insects and other invertebrates, but also human waste from garbage dumps, carrion, grain taken from animal dung and various fruits. They are also known to take skin parasites from camels.

Breeding:
Fan-tailed ravens breed in February-July. They nest is a loose platform or cup, made of sticks, twigs and roots, and lined with wool, hair, cloth, freshly plucked twigs and other soft material. It is placed on a crevice, or sheltered ledge, usually in an inaccessible cliff, or more rarely on human buildings. There are also some rare cases where they nested on trees. The female lays 2-4 pale greenish-blue eggs with brown blotches and speckles, which are incubated for 18-20 days. There is no information regarding the fledgling period.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as locally common over most of its range and locally abundant in western Arabia and Ethiopia. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to inter-specific competition in some parts of its range

Chihuahuan raven

Cirvus cryptoleucus

Photo by Dave Beaudette (Flickr)

Common name:
Chihuahuan raven (en); corvo-da-planície (pt); corbeau à cou blanc (fr); cuervo llanero (es); weißhalsrabe (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Corvidae

Range:
This species is found is found in the southern United States , from Colorado and Kansas down to Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, and in northern Mexico.

Size:
These birds are 46-53 cm long and have a wingspan of 104-110 cm. They weigh 380-670 g.

Habitat:
The Chihuahuan raven is mainly found in dry, open grassland with scattered trees and scrubs, but also in dry scrublands and arable land from sea level up to an altitude of 2.400 m.

Diet:
They are omnivorous, eating large insects, cultivated grains, carrion, eggs, young birds, fruits, lizards, small mammals, garbage.

Breeding:
Chihuahuan ravens breed in May-July. They either nest in loose colonies or in lonely pairs. The nest is an pen cup of sticks with softer lining, such as wool, fur, cotton, paper, rope, tree bark, grass, or yucca fibres. It is usually placed in a low tree or on human-made structure, such as machinery, building, or utility pole, 2-12 m above the ground. There the female lays 3-8 green to blue eggs with brown blotches, which are incubated by both parents for 18-21 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 28-31 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status -  LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and the population has shown a stable trend over the last 4 decades. 

Siberian jay

Perisoreus infaustus

Photo by Daniel Pettersson (Wikipedia)

Common name:
Siberian jay (en); gaio-siberiano (pt); mésangeai imitateur (fr); arrendajo funesto (es); unglückshäher (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Corvidae

Range:
These birds are found in northern Eurasia, from Scandinavia to eastern Russia and northern China.

Size:
The Siberian jay is 26-29 cm long and have a wingspan of 40-46 cm. They weigh 75-95 g.

Habitat:
They are mostly found in boreal forests, especially old pine forests with plenty of lichens, but can also be found in mixed temperate forests along the southern parts of their range.

Diet:

The Siberian jay is omnivorous. They hunt small mammals and birds, raid the nests of other birds for eggs, take various arthropods and will also eat carrion. They also eat various plant materials, especially blueberries.

Breeding:

They breed in March-June. Both sexes build the nest, a platform made of sticks, twigs, lichen and bark, lined with pieces of bark and feathers and placed near the ground, close to the trunk of a tree. There the female lays 3-5 greenish eggs with grey and brown spots. The female incubates the eggs alone for 19-20 days, while the male brings her food. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 20-24 days, ys, but stay together in a brood with their mother for some weeks. Each pair raises a single clutch per year.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has an extremely large breeding range and the global population is estimated at 2-8,5 million individuals. The population is estimated to be in decline following decreases in the southern edge of its range.

Red-billed chough

Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax

(Photo from Wikipedia)

Common name:
red-billed chough (en); gralha-de-bico-vermelho (pt); crave à bec rouge (fr); chova piquirroja (es); Alpenkrähe (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Corvidae


Range:
This species is found in the British Isles, in southern Europe from Portugal to Turkey, in Morocco and Algeria, and into the middle latitudes of Asia as far east as eastern China and Mongolia.


Size:
These birds are 37-41 cm long and have a wingspan of 68-90 cm. They weigh 270-310 g.


Habitat:
The red-billed chough is found in rocky areas, both on the coast, in river valleys and mountains, in pastures, grasslands, scrublands and low-intensity agricultural areas. They are found from sea level up to an altitude of 7.900 m, in the Himalayas.


Diet:
They mostly collect invertebrates from the ground, namely beetles, fly larvae, spiders and ants. They also eat the parasites of domestic mammals, grain and berries.


Breeding:
Red-billed choughs tend to breed in small, loose colonies, but will sometimes breed singly. The bulky nest is made of roots and stems, and lined with wool or hair. It is placed in a cave or similar fissure in a crag or cliff face. There the female lays 3-5 creamy eggs with brown spots, which she incubates alone for 17-18 days while receiving food from the male. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 31-41 days after hatching. Each pair raises a single brood per year.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and the global population is estimated at 300.000-1.500.000 individuals. The population is estimated to be in decline following noted decreases in the European population, but this represents just 25-50% of the global population and not all countries show the same trend, so the overall trend is uncertain.

House crow

Corvus splendens

Photo by Anton Croos (Wikipedia)

Common name:
house crow (en); gralha-indiana (pt); corbeau familier (fr); cuervo indio (es); glanzkrähe (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Corvidae


Range:
This species originates from southern Asia, from southern Iran and Pakistan, throughout India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, and into Bangladesh and south-western Thailand. In recent decades, these birds colonized coastal cities in Australia, eastern and southern Africa, Europe, eastern North America and several island states, which they reached by travelling in ships.


Size:
These birds are 40-42 cm long and weigh 250-370 g.


Habitat:
The house crow is only found in human settlements, especially in industrial areas.


Diet:
These birds are omnivorous, feeding largely on human refuse, but also taking small reptiles, insects and other invertebrates, eggs and nestlings of other birds, small mammals, fishes, frogs, crustaceans, cereal grains, fruits and nectar.


Breeding:
Within their native range, house crows breed in March-July. The nest is a large bowl of sticks and wires, lined with soft plant and animal fibres. It is usually placed in a fork of a tree, or less often on a telephone pole or in a building. There the female lays 3-6 pale blue-green eggs with brown speckles, which she incubates alone for 16-17 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 21-28 days after hatching, but only becoming fully independent several weeks later. Each pair raises 1-2 broods per year.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is reported to be very abundant within human settlements. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Pied crow

Corvus albus

(Photo from Animal Picture Archive)

Common name:

pied crow (en); gralha-seminarista (pt); corbeau pie (fr); cuervo blanco (es); schildrabe (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Corvidae

Range:

This African species is found from Senegal to Sudan, northern Ethiopia and Somalia and south to South Africa, only being absent from the dense tropical forests of the Congo basin and from southern Angola and northern Namibia.

Size:

These birds are 46-52 cm long and weigh 520 g.

Habitat:

Pied crows are found in savanna woodlands and bushy scrublands, but they are most abundant in farmland, and in urban and suburban areas. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 3.700 m.

Diet:

These birds are omnivorous, eating fruits, seeds and nectar, but also animals ranging from insects and molluscs to lizards, snakes, rodents, bats and birds.

Breeding:

Pied crows breed September-February. Both sexes build the nest, a large bowl made of twigs, sometimes including bits of wire and lined with fur, dry dung, rags or sheep wool. The nest is usually placed in a vertical fork of a tall tree. There the female lays 4-6 pale-green eggs with brown spots, which she mostly incubates alone for 18-19 days. The chicks are reared by both sexes and fledge 38-45 days.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has a very large breeding range and, although the global population size has not been quantified, the pied crow is described as common to locally abundant, although closely associated with human habitation. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Yellow-billed magpie

Pica nuttalli

Photo by Linda Tanner (Wikipedia)

Common name:

yellow-billed magpie (en); pega-de-bico-amarelo (pt); pie à bec jaune (fr); urraca (es); gelbschnabelelster (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Corvidae

Range:

The yellow-billed magpie is endemic to California, being found in the Central Valley and the adjacent chaparral foothills and mountains.

Size:

These birds are 43-54 cm long and have a wingspan of 55-65 cm. They weigh 150-170 g.

Habitat:

They are mostly found in open oak savanna, and in places where riverside groves of oaks, cottonwoods, and sycamores border on open country such as pastures or farmland. They are also found in ranch houses and sometimes in coastal scrub.

Diet:

The yellow-billed magpie is omnivorous, mostly foraging on the ground for grasshoppers and other insects, acorns, fruits and carrion. They sometimes also hunt small rodents and visit landfills to feed on garbage.

Breeding:

They nest in small colonies, with each pair cooperating to build the nest. the nest is a bulky domed structure with a side entrance, made of sticks, twigs and mud, and lined with fine plant materials. There the female lays 5-8 olive-buff eggs, which are incubated by the female alone for 18 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 30 days after hatching. Each pair raises a single clutch per year.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species as a relatively large breeding range and a global population estimated at 180.000 individuals. The population has had a stable trend over the last four decades and it is thus not considered threatened.

Azure-winged magpie

Cyanopica cyana

Photo by Jiri Jech (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:

azure-winged magpie (en); pega-azul (pt); pie bleue (fr); rabilargo (es); blauelster (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Corvidae

Range:

This species has two disjunct populations, one in southern Portugal and Spain, and the other in eastern Asia, in most of China, Korea, Japan and north into Mongolia. Recent studies suggested splitting the two populations into different species, but the genetic divergence is probably not sufficient to justify the split.

Size:

Azure-winged magpies are 31-35 cm long and have a wingspan of 38-40 cm. They weigh 65-75 g.

Habitat:

They mostly occur in sparse woodlands and surrounding scrubland. In Asia they prefer broadleaved forests along river banks, while in Europe they are mostly found in cork and Holm oak woodlands, pines and even Eucalyptus stands. They are also present in open cultivated land, grasslands, hedgerows, orchards and olive groves.

Diet:

Azure-winged magpies typically forage in flocks, mostly taking invertebrates, seeds and fruits from the ground. They will also eat small vertebrates, carrion, scraps and refuse. They sometimes store acorns, olives and pine seeds for later consumption.

Breeding:

These birds start nesting in March-April. They nest in loose, open colonies and each breeding pair is usually helped by one to several helpers who collaborate in nest building, feeding the incubating and brooding female, feeding nestlings and removing fecal sacs. The nest is a rough, loose foundation of twigs, inside which they add compacted pellets of earth, mud, or dung lined with roots, pine needles, small twigs, moss, lichen, animal hair, and feathers. There the female lays 4-7 eggs which she incubates alone for 15-19 days.The chicks are fed by both parents and the helpers and fledge 14-19 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has a very large, even if disjunct, breeding range. The global population is estimated at 3-30 million individuals and believed to be increasing, so this species is not threatened at present.

Australian raven

Corvus coronoides

Photo by Ken Havard (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:

Australian raven (en); corvo-australiano (pt); corbeau d'Australie (fr); cuervo australiano grande (es); Neuhollandkrähe (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Corvidae

Range:

This Australian species is found in south-west Australia, along the southern coast of the country, and in eastern Australia

Size:

These birds are 46-53 cm long and have a wingspan of 100 cm. They weigh 650 g.

Habitat:

This species is found in all habitats present within its range with the only exception being the most arid areas of western Australia. They are common in urban areas.

Diet:

The natural food of the Australian raven includes carrion, insects, seeds, fruit, small reptiles, nestlings and eggs. They are also well adapted to eating rubbish and scraps in urban areas and have been observed feeding on nectar from Eucalyptus flowers.

Breeding:

They breed in July-September. They nest in tall trees, building large and untidy bowls or platforms of sticks lined with grasses, barks, and feathers. The female lays 3-6 pale green or bluish-green eggs with brown and blackish markings. The eggs are incubated by the female alone for 20 days. The young fledge 45 days after hatching, but remain with the parents for another 4 months.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least concern)

Although the population size has not been quantified, the species has a large breeding range and is described as common throughout this range. The species is not threatened at present.

Blue jay

Cyanocitta cristata

(Photo from Wallpaper Collections)

Common name:

blue jay (en); gaio-azul (pt); geai blue (fr); arrendajo azul (es); blauhäher (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Corvidae

Range:

It is common in the eastern half of North America, from southern Canada down to Florida and Texas. The western edge of the range stops where the arid pine forest and scrub habitat of the closely related Steller's jay Cyanocitta stelleri begins. The range as recently expanded north-westwards and is now a regular visitor to the north-west of the United States and the southern Pacific coast of Canada.

Size:

The blue jay is a medium-sized bird with a length of 22-30 cm and a wingspan of 34-43 cm. These birds weigh up to 100 g.

Habitat:

The blue Jay occupies a variety of habitats within its large range, from pine woods to spruce-fir forests. It is less abundant in denser forests, preferring mixed woodlands with oaks and beeches. It has expertly adapted to human activity, occurring in parks and residential areas, and can adapt to deforested areas if human activity creates other means for the jays to get by.

Diet:

The blue jay is an omnivorous bird, eating a wide range of food. In the winter they mostly eat plant matter, including acorns, beechnuts, seeds and berries. At other times they will feed on grasshopper and other large insects, caterpillars, mice, bird eggs and baby birds.

Breeding:

Blue jays typically form monogamous pairs form life. Both sexes build the nest, a cup-shaped bowl composed of twigs, small roots, bark strips, moss, cloth, paper and feathers. The nest is placed at a height of 3 to 10 m, in a tree or shrub. They can also nest in mailboxes and even appropriate the nests of other songbirds. The clutch of 4-5 eggs is layed in April-May and incubated for 16-18 days by the female. Both parents raise the chicks until fledging which takes place 17-21 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status – LC (Least Concern)

With a population of 22 million and a wide breeding range, there are no significant threats to this species at present.