The Cayenne jay is a species of bird in the family Corvidae. It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest.
Region
Guiana Shield and northern Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs across French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, adjacent northern Brazil, and eastern Venezuela. It uses tropical moist lowland forest, forest edges, riparian gallery forest, and patches of secondary growth. The species readily enters scrub and heavily degraded former forest as long as scattered tall trees or dense thickets remain. It is most frequently encountered along forest margins, rivers, and clearings where fruiting trees are present.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A social corvid of the Guiana Shield, the Cayenne jay often forages in noisy bands moving through forest edges and clearings. Like many jays, it is an important seed disperser, helping regenerate disturbed forest. It is adaptable and can use secondary growth and degraded habitats. Its varied calls make it easy to detect even when concealed in dense foliage.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
strong direct flight with steady wingbeats and short glides between trees
Social Behavior
Usually travels in small, vocal groups that range widely while foraging. Pairs likely maintain territories during breeding, nesting in well-concealed sites high in trees. Groups may cooperatively mob predators and give loud alarm calls.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal repertoire includes harsh jay-like squawks, rattles, and chatter, often delivered in excited bursts by multiple birds. It also gives sharp alarm notes and more subdued contact calls while moving through cover.
Plumage
Glossy dark bluish to blackish upperparts with brighter blue tones on the wings and tail; underparts pale gray to whitish. Head and upper chest are darker, sometimes with a slight crest that can be raised. Tail is long with contrasting paler tips evident in flight. Overall impression is a dark jay with strong blue highlights and pale underparts.
Diet
An opportunistic omnivore that eats fruits, berries, and seeds, along with large insects, spiders, and other arthropods. It will take eggs and nestlings of other birds when available and may snatch small vertebrates or carrion. Foraging often involves probing foliage, sallying to snatch insects, and raiding fruiting trees.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, riverbanks, and clearings with fruiting trees, as well as in secondary woodland and tall scrub. Frequently works the midstory to canopy but will descend to the ground or low shrubs to pick fallen fruit or hunt in leaf litter.
