Inca Jay or Plush-Crested Jay?
Here's how to tell the difference
Inca Jay
Plush-Crested Jay
Inca Jay
Cyanocorax yncas
Also known as: Querrequerre
General appearance
The Inca Jay is a large, vibrantly coloured bird. The upper parts showcase a rich, deep blue with a grey-blue crest. Their chest and abdomen are a warm, burnt orange. The beak and legs are black. They have a distinctive eye-ring which transitions from yellow at the front to a bright red at the back.
Male vs female
The Inca Jay is a monomorphic bird species which means the males and females look alike. There are no distinctive physical differences to discern gender. Thus, behaviour and song are the best ways to determine sex, with males being more vocal and bold.
Juvenile
In contrast to the adults, juvenile Inca Jays are not as brightly coloured. They have brownish-grey plumage instead of the blue and orange. Their eye-rings are dull yellow and lack the distinctive red coloration. They gradually develop their adult colouration as they mature.
Size
11.6 - 12.0 in/2.8 - 3.9 oz
There's more to learn about Inca Jay
View full detailsPlush-Crested Jay
Cyanocorax chrysops
General appearance
The plush-crested jay is a vibrant, medium-sized bird that stands out due to its predominantly deep blue and black colouration. The bird, named for its crest, has a striking crest of bristle-like black feathers on its head, which contrast the bright blue on the rest of the body. The eyes are yellow and the bird's beak and legs are black.
Male vs female
Sexual dimorphism is not prominent in the plush-crested jay species, thus, males and females share similar physical characteristics. They exhibit the same rich colouring and crested head, making them difficult to distinguish by appearance alone.
Juvenile
Juvenile plush-crested jays somewhat resemble their adult counterparts, but exhibit a duller, less saturated variation of the adults blue and black coloration. They also lack the distinctive crest characteristic of the adults until their later stages of development.
Size
13.8 - 14.2 in/4.5 - 6.0 oz
There's more to learn about Plush-Crested Jay
View full detailsHow to tell the Inca Jay from the Plush-Crested Jay
Visual differences
Inca Jays are smaller (11.6-12.0 inches) and lighter (2.8-3.9 ounces) compared to Plush-Crested Jays (13.8-14.2 inches, 4.5-6.0 ounces). Inca Jays have rich blue upper parts, a grey-blue crest, and warm burnt orange chest/abdomen with a yellow-to-red eye-ring. Plush-Crested Jays have deep blue and black coloration, with a striking black bristle-like crest and yellow eyes. Both species have black beaks and legs. The Inca Jay's vibrant orange contrasts the Plush-Crested Jay's predominantly blue/black plumage.
Key differences and behavior
Inca Jays and Plush-Crested Jays both exhibit social behaviors, but differ notably in group size and activity. Inca Jays form smaller groups and maintain contact through constant calling, while Plush-Crested Jays gather in larger groups of 10-12, known for their loudness and mimicry skills. Both species adapt to various habitats, but Inca Jays are more prevalent in forested and human-altered landscapes, while Plush-Crested Jays favor subtropical forests. Both engage in complex breeding rituals with cooperative nest-building, but Plush-Crested Jays also exhibit mutual grooming and feeding. Diet-wise, Inca Jays stick to fruits, seeds, and insects, whereas Plush-Crested Jays are opportunistic, consuming a broader range including small animals and eggs. In summary, Inca Jays are more discreet and adaptable in behavior, while Plush-Crested Jays are louder, more gregarious, and opportunistic.
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