Black-chested jay

The black-chested jay is a striking member of the Corvidae family, easily recognizable by its distinctive facial features and bright yellow eyes. This beautiful bird measures approximately 34 cm (13 inches) in length. It boasts a predominantly black head, face, and chest, embellished with violet-blue accents around the eyes and a violet-blue stripe along the jawline. Its underparts are white, contrasting with its dark violet-blue upperparts and wings.

The black-chested jay is typically found in Colombia, northwestern Venezuela, Panama, and the far eastern regions of Costa Rica. It thrives in various habitats, including subtropical or tropical dry forests, moist lowland forests, and even areas where forests have been heavily degraded.