tags: Green Jay, Cyanocorax yncas, Cyanocorax luxuosus, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Green Jay, Cyanocorax (yncas) luxuosus, photographed at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Harlingen, Texas. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]
Image: Joseph Kennedy, 30 March 2008 [larger view].
Nikon D200, Kowa 883 telescope with TSN-PZ camera eyepiece 1/1000s f/8.0 at 1000.0mm iso400.
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Because most mystery birders are on vacation right now, I am sharing another knock-your-socks-off-gorgeous bird today! Can you name this species? And can you tell me the identity of its close relatives?
The two populations of this species were recently reclassified into two separate species; the Green Jay, Cyanocorax (yncas) luxuosus (pictured here) and the Inca Jay, Cyanocorax (yncas) yncas. This move has created some controversy.
- Log in to post comments
Nice photo. Rather obvious to any of us who spend time in south Texas. So I won't even hint.
That bird's got to have a colorful name, whatever it is . Like "The greenish blue-headed blackbird" or perhaps something with the word "mask" in it.
I suppose when I start seeing these in Minnesota, I'll know global warming has gone a long way.
Yup, Grrl Scientist, this is most definitely a knock-your-socks-off-gorgeous bird. I admire this photo of it because I've never been able to get anywhere near close enough to take any decent shots myself. One of its close relatives, and also a most lovely bird, has a purplish back.
These birds are one of the main species of interest with the CONE Welder birdcam, which is looking at whether breeding ranges of neotropical species are being affected by global warming.
I have lived in south Texas my whole life and have never had the priviledge of seeing this bird. I am interested to find out what it is! Magnificent photo!
There're quite a few species that like the south Texas scrub. But you may have to get a ways out to see them. There's a ranch near La Gloria, Texas, where we occasionally go for outings. We see the pictured species almost every visit. Vermilion flycatchers. Various thrashers.
It really should be called an LBJ. Just because.
Actually, Amy, these guys can be very hard to see. Unlike the more familiar members of their tribe, they're shy and quiet, and those colors blend amazingly well into the foliage. They are definitely worth the effort, though.
What a great picture! I'm thinking Green Jay (since I got here late), and probably related to other Jays. But I don't think super closely related? I guess the closest relations might be scrub jays, maybe? (Total guess, based on bright blues and also no crest.)
Looks like a Green Jay to me.
This bird resembles a Bird of Paradise, to which corvids are closely related.
Actually, Bardiac, the closest N. Am. relative is the rather drab Brown Jay, C. morio. There are more Cyanocorax species through Mexico and into South America.
I can see how the Birds of Paradise might have taken this color scheme and gone nuts with it. Beautiful.
Thanks, psweet. I'm learning :)