The plush-crested jay is a jay of the family Corvidae. It is found in central-southern South America: in southwestern Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina, including southern regions of the Amazon Basin river systems bordering the Pantanal.
Region
Central-southern South America
Typical Environment
Occupies a broad swath from southwestern Brazil through eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina. It favors forest edges, gallery forests along rivers, semi-open woodlands, and savanna with scattered trees. Common in second growth, palm groves, cerrado ecotones, and riparian corridors. It readily uses mosaics of farmland, parks, and rural settlements where tree cover remains.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This striking jay is highly intelligent and inquisitive, often forming noisy groups that investigate anything new in their territory. Its namesake plush-like crest is erectile and used in display. It adapts well to forest edges and human-modified landscapes, and will boldly mob predators much larger than itself.
Plush-crested jay
Eating a Pachylia syces caterpillar
Temperament
social and inquisitive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically travels in pairs or small family groups, keeping contact with loud calls while moving through the canopy and mid-story. Groups cooperatively mob raptors and other threats. Nests are bulky open cups placed in trees or tall shrubs; both sexes participate, and helpers may attend in some groups.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal repertoire includes rich whistles, sharp jay-like scolds, and chattering notes. Calls vary with context from mellow fluting contact notes to harsh alarms, and the species can mimic other birds’ calls on occasion.
Plumage
Velvety black head with a plush, erectile crest; contrasting pale yellow underparts and darker upperparts with blue highlights. Wings and tail are dark with white tips and patches that show in flight.
Diet
An opportunistic omnivore, taking insects, spiders, and other invertebrates gleaned from foliage and bark. Also eats fruits, seeds, and nuts, and will raid nests for eggs and nestlings. Occasionally consumes small vertebrates and carrion, and may take human food scraps around settlements.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, in gallery forests, and semi-open woodlands where it can move between canopy, mid-story, and clearings. Frequently visits fruiting trees and explores picnic areas, farms, and yards with scattered trees.
