Fun Black-throated Magpie-jay Facts For Kids

Akinwalere Olaleye
Oct 20, 2022 By Akinwalere Olaleye
Originally Published on Aug 05, 2021
Edited by Luca Demetriou
To get to know more about this bird, read these Black-Throated Magpie Jay facts.
?
Age: 3-18
Read time: 4.6 Min

Black-Throated Magpie-Jay, Calocitta Colliei as it is scientifically known, belongs to the Corvidae family. The habitat of this bird includes woodlands but is known not to inhabit or prefer humid woodlands.

The Black-Throated Magpie Jay range includes Sonora, Jalisco, Colima. The oldest pair in the family is known to breed during the breeding season. 3-4 eggs are laid and the incubation takes place for about 16-21 days.

The Black-Throated Magpie-Jay ( Calocitta colliei) is blue on the upperparts and white on the underparts with tail tips ending in white color. The tail or the tail feathers of this bird are very long.

As the name suggests, they have a black-colored throat or chest while some birds might have blue-colored throats. The crest of adults is also black in color while the crest of juveniles has a white tip.

There is no specific number for this bird population recorded. The calls or songs of these birds are loud and distinct. These birds are omnivorous and feed on insects, seeds, and nuts.

This Magpie-Jay conservation status is Least Concern. It was once considered to be a subspecies of the White-Throated Magpie Jay, Calocitta Formosa Colliei.

It is interesting to know about these birds and if you are interested, read about Magpie facts and Kea Parrot facts too.

Black-Throated Magpie-Jay Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Black-Throated Magpie-Jay?

Black-Throated Magpie Jay is a bird.

What class of animal does a Black-Throated Magpie-Jay belong to?

It belongs to the class of Aves of birds.

How many Black-Throated Magpie-Jays are there in the world?

There is no specific number of these birds recorded or estimated.

Where does a Black-Throated Magpie-Jay live?

These birds are found around the Pacific slopes of Mexico including Sonora, Jalisco, Colima.

What is a Black-Throated Magpie-Jay's habitat?

These birds inhabit woodlands but do not prefer humid woodlands.

Who does a Black-Throated Magpie-Jay live with?

These birds can be spotted in pairs or small groups.

How long does a Black-Throated Magpie-Jay live?

The exact lifespan of these birds is unknown.

How do they reproduce?

Not much information is available about the reproduction of these birds, but it is believed that the oldest pair in the family mates during the breeding season. The nest is built using sticks and is lined with some soft materials like the typical nest of similar species.

The gestation period of these birds is unknown and 3-4 whitish-colored eggs with brown-gray speckles or spots are laid. The incubation period lasts for about 16-21 days and is done by the females and during this period, the males feed their mates.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of these birds is Least Concern.

Black-Throated Magpie-Jay Fun Facts

What does a Black-Throated Magpie-Jay look like?

The feathers and crest of this bird are some of its striking features.

The upper parts or the upper body of these Black-Throated Magpie jays are blue in color with ending tips in white along with the tail. The long tail or the long tail feathers of these jays are one of its noticeable features.

The underparts or the belly parts of this bird are white. The head, legs, and the bill of these birds along with the crest are black.

There is a pale or a lighter blue-colored arch or curve over the eyes and a patch or spot under the eyes.

Some birds might have a blue-colored throat and chest. The juveniles have a crest with a white tip and in comparison to adults, the young ones have a darker and smaller patch or a spot under the eye.

How cute are they?

These birds are considered cute because of their plumage.

How do they communicate?

Not much information is available regarding the communication of these birds, but it is believed that this species, just like other birds produce calls and sounds. The calls or sounds of these birds are known to be loud and distinct and sometimes sound like a parrot.

How big is a Black-Throated Magpie-Jay?

The Black-Throated Magpie Jay bird is sized similar to a crow but slightly larger, it is also slightly larger than a (black-billed magpie).

How fast can a Black-Throated Magpie-Jay fly?

The exact speed of this species is unknown but they are known to be quick and fast.

How much does a Black-Throated Magpie-Jay weigh?

The weight of this species ranges from 0.49-0.55 lb (0.225-0.251 kg).

What are their male and female names of the species?

There are no specific names for a male and female of the species.

What would you call a baby Black-Throated Magpie-Jay?

A baby of this species is generally referred to as a chick, juveniles, or the young one.

What do they eat?

The diet of this species is omnivorous and their food includes seeds, nuts, and insects. They are also known to eat chicks of other birds.

Are they poisonous?

This species is not considered poisonous.

Would they make a good pet?

This species do not make for good pets as they require space more than a cage and the appropriate kind of habitat for them is a large planted aviary.

Did you know...

Calocitta Colliei, Black-Throated Magpie Jays, are one of the two species introduced by George Robert Gray, an English Zoologist in 1841 to be put under or in the genus Calocitta.

Black-Throated Magpie Jays were first described by Nicholas Aylward Vigors, an Irish zoologist in 1829.

This species is known to interbreed with the White-Throated Magpie Jay, Calocitta Formosa Colliei in Colima, Jalisco, and this species was initially considered to be a subspecies of this magpie jay.

Black-Throated Magpie jays are monotypic, that is, no subspecies of this bird are recognized.

Magpies are generally known to be found in temperate regions of Europe, western North America, and Asia.

These birds are also known to be a bit larger than a Blue Jay.

Are they predators?

Yes, these species are predators as they are known to eat insects and chicks of other birds.

How much larger is a Black-Throated Magpie-Jay than a blue jay?

Compare a black-throated magpie-jay and a blue jay.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds including magpie facts and hawk facts.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Black-Throated Magpie-Jay coloring pages.

We Want Your Photos!
We Want Your Photos!

We Want Your Photos!

Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Email your photos

More for You

See All

Written by Akinwalere Olaleye

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

Akinwalere Olaleye picture

Akinwalere OlaleyeBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

As a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and energetic individual, Olaleye's expertise lies in administrative and management operations. With extensive knowledge as an Editor and Communications Analyst, Olaleye excels in editing, writing, and media relations. Her commitment to upholding professional ethics and driving organizational growth sets her apart. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Benin, Edo State. 

Read full bio >