Scientific Name: Calocitta formosa colliei
	Geographical Range: Central America
	Habitat: Located in open woodland and forest regions along the Pacific slope of Mexico.
	Diet in the Wild: Considered omnivorous feed on a large variety of foods including: fruits, berries, nuts, invertebrates, and small rodents.
	Conservation Status:Not protected.
	Location in the Zoo:Bird Row
Physical Description: The Black-throated Magpie Jay ia a beautiful large bird that has a blue body with a black throat and white chest.  The tail is long and blue with some white tips.  The head is black with a slight amount of blue on cheek area. This is a large bird measuring about 8 inches in body and another 13.5 inches for the tail.  The weight is approximately 225 to 251 grams.    Social Organization: They will remain in a small family group between 5 to 10 individuals.  The oldest pair in the group will act as the breeders while the others will serve as helpers in nest construction and feeding after the young are born.   Reproductive Behavior: The Black-throated Magpie Jay has an undetermined gestation period. The oldest pair in the family group will breed during the mating season. The female bird will then lay 3-4 eggs. During the incubation period (16 to 21 days) the female will sit on the nest and be fed by her mate. This is commonly called courtship feeding.	Special Adaptations: The Magpie Jay will place its nest usually in a thorny tree at hights up to 100 feet.  This will allow extra pretection from predators during the long nesting season from November to July.  Also during incubation periods the female will not leave the nest.      The Animal at the Zoo: A pair of black-throated magpie jays reside at the Fort Worth Zoo.  The pair is located in Bird Row with a large corner cage.  During visits the magpies can be seen sitting atop many perches within the cage making a variety of harsh, loud calls.
Page Author: Christy Yorek cyorek@swbell.net Image courtesy of Steve Metz	Sources and Links: Beletsky, L.  Costa Rica, The Ecotravellers Wildlife Guide.  AP Natural World Academic Press.  1998.  San Diego, California. Davis, L.  The Field Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Central America.  University of Texas Press.  1972.  Austin, Texas. Birds of San Diego County Index http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/images/Bird_Pages/escaped_ exotic_birds.htm Central Florida Zoological Park http://www.centralfloridazoo.org/animals/Black-throated_ magpie_jay.htm