Lidth's jay, also known as the Amami jay, is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae native to Japan.
Region
Ryukyu Islands
Typical Environment
Occurs primarily on Amami Ōshima and nearby islands in the central Ryukyus. It inhabits mature evergreen broadleaf (Castanopsis and Machilus) forests, secondary woodlands, and forest edges. Birds forage from the mid-canopy to the forest floor and sometimes visit adjacent farmland or village groves. Nesting typically takes place in tall trees within dense forest interiors. It is largely absent from heavily urbanized or treeless areas.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 700 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Amami jay, it is a striking corvid restricted to Japan’s Amami Islands. It caches nuts and seeds, helping regenerate its subtropical forests. The species has been threatened by habitat loss and invasive predators, and is legally protected in Japan. Conservation actions on Amami Ōshima have supported recent recoveries in some areas.
Temperament
wary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with swift, direct flights between trees; capable of strong bursts
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, maintaining territories in forested areas. Monogamous pairs build cup-shaped nests high in trees and raise a single brood per season. They cache nuts and larger seeds in leaf litter or moss, returning to stores later.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include harsh, rasping jay-like screams and repeated scolding calls. It also produces softer chucks, whistles, and bubbling notes in close contact, with a varied repertoire typical of corvids.
Plumage
Glossy purplish-blue body and tail with a rich chestnut mantle and scapulars; head and throat are dark and hooded. Wings are deep bluish with darker primaries. Overall plumage appears sleek with a subtle sheen.
Diet
Omnivorous, taking fruits, nuts (including acorns and chinquapin), seeds, and a wide range of invertebrates such as beetles, cicadas, and caterpillars. It will also eat small vertebrates or eggs opportunistically. Seasonal mast crops are cached for later use, a behavior that also disperses seeds. Foraging occurs both in the canopy and on the ground, especially in leaf litter.
Preferred Environment
Feeds within subtropical evergreen forest, especially along edges, gaps, and along streams where invertebrates are abundant. It may venture into plantations, orchards, or farmland margins when fruiting trees are available.
