Appearance
The back is dark brown, as are the upper sides of the wings and tail. The rear crown and nape are bright lavender blue. The front and sides of the head are black, with the feathers of the forecrown and forehead curled up and forwards in a short bushy crest. From the chin to the centre of the breast the bird is dark violaceous-grey. The lower breast and belly are violaceous, fading to white on the lower belly and vent. The eyes are pale to yellowish-white and the bill, feet and legs are black.Distribution
This species is a native resident species of the Amazon basin, found from Southeast Colombia to Southwest Venezuela and extreme northwest Brazil.Status
The azure-naped jay is rated a species of Least Concern by Birdlife International, because it occurs over a very large range and the population, though declining, is not thought to be declining rapidly enough to reach the threshold of Vulnerable status.Behavior
These birds are found in noisy groups that travel slowly, foraging at all levels. They are wary of observers and will utter alarm cries, taking turns to observe an intruder before moving on, or simply disappear into surrounding vegetation.Habitat
It is a bird of the lower tropical zone, found at altitudes of 250m and below. Its preferred habitat is stunted forests, forest edges and second growth on sandy soils in the upper Río Negro basin, as well as in lighter savannah woodland. Two recent surveys of birds Amazon basin found the Azure-naped jay is endemic to areas of white sand forest, and is not found in nearby areas of nearby terra firme forests, seasonally flooded forests and Amazonian savannas.References:
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