Alternative names: Sichuan Grey Jay; Chinese Jay; Sooty Jay; Black-headed Jay
- Perisoreus internigrans
Identification
30cm. A relatively small jay from China.
- Small, pall yellowish-olive bill
- Plumage medium-dark grey, becoming almost blackish on head
- Throat feathers with greyer bases which can become visible when blackish feather tips are worn away
- Quite long, blackish-grey tail
- Blackish legs
Sexes similar.
Distribution
Endemic to central China where found from extreme southwest Gansu south to Sichuan and also in extreme southeast Qinghai and extreme northeast and east Xizang.
Restricted-range species with a small, declining and fragmented population.
Taxonomy
Monotypic.
Habitat
Dense coniferous forest on mountain slopes. Occurs from 2800m to 4270m.
Behaviour
A shy bird, usually difficult to see.
Feeds on seeds, berries, insects and other invertebrates, takes probably also carrion.
Usually seen in pairs or family groups.
Breeding season from March to May. Two known nests contained each 3 eggs.
A resident species.
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
- Avibase
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Sichuan Jay. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 1 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Sichuan_Jay
