Nature Field Guide
White-throated Magpie-Jay
- Spanish name
- Urraca copetona
- Scientific name
- Cyanocorax formosa
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Pico: “Its crest curls like a little ribbon!”
Tati: “The blue tail and white throat are other good clues.”
Species overview
About the White-throated Magpie-Jay
The white-throated magpie-jay combines blue upperparts with a white face and underparts. A tall curled crest and dark neck markings create an unmistakable outline.
It uses wooded and semi-open habitats and eats varied food. Formerly placed in Calocitta, it is now treated as Cyanocorax formosus in current Cornell taxonomy. Both names refer to the same bird, so they should not create two Nature cards.
Identification
Key Features of the White-throated Magpie-Jay
Long blue tail with pale tips
Tall curled crest
White throat with dark neck markings
Habitat & range
Northern Pacific dry and gallery woodland, extending toward Orotina and San Mateo. A documented Tamarindo photograph supports that local connection. The public scientific name is corrected to Cyanocorax formosa; the permanent import ID stays unchanged.
Local observations
Costa Rica: resident.
When to observe
A resident bird; suitable habitat matters throughout the year. Quiet morning observation is a useful starting point, with activity varying by weather and location.
Conservation & care
Observe quietly from trails or established viewing areas. Give nests, roosts and feeding birds space. Do not handle, chase or lure birds with playback. Keep pets away from wildlife.
Threats & pressures
Protect native vegetation, reduce collision hazards around glass and keep cats away from birds. These are practical prevention priorities, not a claim of a measured decline at a specific Costa Rican site.
Observation activity
Sketch the crest and tail without drawing every feather. Which shapes make it recognizable?
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Central Pacific · Guanacaste · Puntarenas & the Gulf Islands · Guanacaste · Tamarindo · Outdoor Adventures · Wildlife & Animals