Purplish Jay

Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Pantanal, Brazil • Aug 2011

Bird name: Purplish Jay
Latin: Cyanocorax cyanomelas
Other: Gralha-cinza, gralha-do-pantanal (Br)
Family: Corvidae • Crows, Jays
Range: Central S America, Pantanal: Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay
Similar:

The Purplish Jay was seen fairly frequently on my trip to the Pantanal in August. One of the first birds to be seen around the compound at Curicaca Lodge, then again drinking water at a drying pool at Pousada Alegre (above).

The Purplish Jay appears mostly dark, blackish around the head, with purplish tinge only apparent in some lights. Not too shy, will visit feeders.

Below, Purplish Jay at Curicaca Lodge, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011


Below, Purplish Jay eats at fruit feeders and hangs around compound, Pantanal, Aug 2011


Below, Purplish Jay with large seed or fruit, Brazil, Pantanal, Aug 2011