The purplish-backed jay is a bird of the crow family Corvidae, with purple feathers on its back, wings, and tail and black feathers elsewhere. It is endemic to northwestern Mexico, where its habitat is mainly dry deciduous forest. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed it as being a "species of least concern".
Region
Northwestern Mexico
Typical Environment
Occurs along the Pacific slope in the Sinaloan tropical dry forest belt, especially in Sinaloa and northern Nayarit, with local occurrences extending into southern Sonora. It favors dry deciduous forest, thorn scrub, and riparian woodland, often near forest edges and in semi-open mosaics. The species uses tall trees for nesting and roosting but readily forages through mid-canopy and on or near the ground. It generally avoids dense, humid montane forest and heavily urbanized cores, though it may visit orchards and ranchlands.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
This striking corvid lives in cooperative family groups, with helpers assisting in raising young. It thrives in Sinaloan tropical dry forests and adapts well to edges and second growth. Like many jays, it is intelligent, vocal, and opportunistic in its feeding. Despite habitat pressures, it remains assessed as Least Concern.
Purplish-backed jay feeding at the Henry Doorly Zoo
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Lives in cohesive groups that maintain territories and often practice cooperative breeding, with helpers assisting at the nest. Nests are typically placed high in trees, with both sexes contributing to building and defense. Groups forage together and use sentinel behavior to watch for predators.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal repertoire includes harsh, rasping scolds and jay-like screeches used in alarm and group coordination. Also gives varied whistles and chatters, with frequent call-and-response among group members.
