The largest of the jays of northeastern Argentina: 34 to 38 cm. The plumage is an even, somewhat subdued dark violet over most of the body, with a blacker head and throat and a brighter violet tail above. The bill is sturdy and black. The call is harsh, a powerful, repeated "cra-cra-cra". A bird of the Chaco woodland and the gallery forest of northeastern Argentina.
Behaviour
Very gregarious and noisy. It lives in groups of 5 to 15 individuals that move through the forest together in a constant commotion. They are the forest's "spokesmen": they alert the other animals to the presence of predators or intruders with powerful, varied calls. Omnivores: they eat fruit, insects, the eggs of other birds and carrion.
How and when to see it
Year-round in the portals with gallery forest and Chaco woodland. The boisterous groups are impossible to overlook. Portal Galarza, San Antonio and Cambyretá.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where purplish jay has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where purplish jay lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiences with local storytelling and a cultural take on the marshes.★ 5.0 - Gaucho Argentino
Horseback journeys across a network of refuges in Iberá. Multi-day rides with overnight…★ 5.0 - Jurassic Plant - Night Tour
The only carnivorous-plant garden in Argentina and a pioneer in Latin America. A guided…★ 5.0 - Irupé Excursiones
Guided hiking. Guided visit to museums, historic sites, chapels and trails of the town…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common namePurplish Jay
- Scientific nameCyanocorax cyanomelas
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
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