Black-chested Jay
Cyanocorax affinis
Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyCorvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
- GenusCyanocorax (Cyanocorax Jays and Magpie-jays)
- SpeciesCyanocorax affinis (Black-chested Jay)
About the Black-chested Jay
The black-chested jay (Cyanocorax affinis) is a species of bird in the family Corvidae. Measuring 34 cm (13 in) long, this jay is easily recognized from its distinctive facial pattern and yellow eye. The head, face, and chest are mostly black with violet-blue spots above and below the eye, as well as a violet-blue malar stripe. The underparts are white as is the tip of the tail, while the upperparts and wings are mainly dark violet-blue. It does not exhibit sexual dimorphism.
It is found in Colombia, northwestern Venezuela, Panama and far eastern Costa Rica. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and heavily degraded former forest.
Its population is stable. BirdLife species factsheet for Cyanocorax affinis "Cyanocorax affinis". Avibase. "Black-chested jay media". Internet Bird Collection. Black-chested jay photo gallery at VIREO (Drexel University)
Interactive range map of Cyanocorax affinis at IUCN Red List Audio recordings of Black-chested jay on Xeno-canto. Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Darién National Park
Bananaquit
Coereba flaveola
Tropical Kingbird
Tyrannus melancholicus
Blue-gray Tanager
Thraupis episcopus
Cocoa Woodcreeper
Xiphorhynchus susurrans
Streaked Flycatcher
Myiodynastes maculatus
Crested Oropendola
Psarocolius decumanus
Purple-throated Fruitcrow
Querula purpurata
Golden-collared Manakin
Manacus vitellinus
Cinnamon Becard
Pachyramphus cinnamomeus
Western Slaty-Antshrike
Thamnophilus atrinucha
Bay-breasted Warbler
Setophaga castanea
Chestnut-headed Oropendola
Psarocolius wagleri
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darién National Park | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 2 | San Lorenzo Protected Forest | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 3 | Utría National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 4 | Parque Natural Metropolitano | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 5 | Cahuita National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 6 | La Amistad International Park (Panama) | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 7 | Bastimentos Island National Marine Park | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 8 | Soberanía National Park | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 9 | Tayrona National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 10 | Chagres National Park | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 11 | Farallones de Cali National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 12 | Los Nevados National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 13 | Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 14 | Puracé National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 15 | Volcán Barú National Park | 🇵🇦 Panama |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Black-chested Jay in Darién National Park?
About 40% of wildlife watchers report a Black-chested Jay sighting in Darién National Park, based on 1,747 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Black-chested Jay in Darién National Park?
December has the highest sighting rate for Black-chested Jay in Darién National Park in our monthly data.