Hear a story about the green jay
Hear a green jay


from The Birds of Texas
by John L. Tveten

No bird epitomizes the exotic tropical wildlife of the lower Rio Grande Valley more thoroughly than the beautiful green jay. It reaches its northern limit in south Texas and occurs nowhere else in the United States. From there it ranges south to Honduras and also inhabits northern South America. Its specific name, yncas, is an alternate form of "Inca," for the first descriptions of this species were based on birds taken in Peru.

Yncas is our only green-colored jay. It is a darker olive-green above and yellowish green below, with yellow outer tail feathers. The bright blue head contrasts with the black facial marking and a large black throat patch. As colorful as the plumage is, it blends remarkably well with the dappled sunlight and shade of the brushy thickets and remnant woodlands along the Rio Grande.

The green jay is one of 30 "Valley Specialties" that attracts birders from around the world to South Texas. It ranges upriver sparingly to Laredo and northward to Alice, Kingsville and the Corpus Christi area, but it is most commonly sought in such parks and refuges as Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park and Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge.

Small family flocks, usually of four to nine birds, set up and defend permanent group territories. Each group contains only one breeding pair. The female lays three to five spotted eggs, which will hatch in 17 to 18 days. The helpers, usually offspring from a previous nesting, aid in territorial defense. Such cooperation undoubtedly increases the survival rate of the eggs and young.

Green jays are members of the Corvidae Family. Corvids are the largest of all the perching birds. Their size, harsh voices and aggressive manner make them particularly noticeable, and most are relatively easy to identify. The green jay's call is a cheh-cheh-cheh-cheh. Roughly 100 species of jays and crows are found throughout the world, and 14 of them occur at least occasionally in Texas. Seven jay species range into Texas and there are five black crows and ravens.

Excerpts from The Birds of Texas by John L. Tveten with permission from Shearer Publishing, Inc.

More Bird Facts The green jay has a black beak and black feet. It is approximately 9 3/4 inches long. Green jays feed on insects, small vertebrates, fruits and seeds. Green jays are inquisitive and will quickly investigate intrusions into their area. The plumage of the green jay is the same for the male and female and does not change with the season.

Hear Interviews with Experts Why the Rio Grande Valley is a hot spot for birding. Hear about another "Valley Specialty" Altamira Oriole Need to Preserve Oriole Habitat