Jay Totally Explained

Everything about Jay totally explained

The jays are several species of medium-sized, usually colorful and noisy, passerine birds in the crow family Corvidae. The names jay and magpie are somewhat interchangeable, and the evolutionary relationships are rather complex. For example, the Eurasian Magpie seems more closely related to the Eurasian Jay than to the Oriental Blue and Green Magpies, whereas the Blue Jay isn't closely related to either.

Systematics and species

See classification box for relevant genera links. Traditionally, the Crested Jay (Platylophus galericulatus) is placed here, but apparently this isn't correct, as suggested by anatomical and molecular evidence. Its placement remains unresolved; it doesn't seem to be a corvid at all. It should be noted that according to the research of Ericson et al. (2005), jays are not a monophyletic group. Rather, they can be divided into an American and an Old World lineage (the latter including the ground jays and the Piapiac), while the gray jays of the genus Perisoreus form a group of their own. The Black Magpie, formerly believed to be related to jays, is classified as a treepie. Old World ("brown") jays

Eurasian Jay, Garrulus glandarius

Lanceolated Jay, Garrulus lanceolatus

Lidth's Jay, Garrulus lidthi

Henderson's Ground Jay, Podoces hendersoni

Biddulph's Ground Jay, Podoces biddulphi

Persian Ground Jay, Podoces pleskei

Grey Ground Jay, Podoces panderi

Piapiac, Ptilostomus afer Grey jays

Siberian Jay, Perisoreus infaustus

Sichuan Jay, Perisoreus internigrans

Gray Jay, or Canada Jay or Whiskeyjack Perisoreus canadensis American ("blue") jays

Florida Scrub Jay, Aphelocoma coerulescens

Island Scrub Jay, Aphelocoma insularis

Western Scrub Jay, Aphelocoma californica

Mexican Jay, Aphelocoma ultramarina

Unicolored Jay, Aphelocoma unicolor

Pinyon Jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus

Steller's Jay, Cyanocitta stelleri

Blue Jay, Cyanocitta cristata

Black-throated Magpie-jay, Calocitta colliei

White-throated Magpie-jay, Calocitta formosa

Black-chested Jay, Cyanocorax affinis

Green Jay, Cyanocorax ynca

Brown Jay, Cyanocorax morio

Bushy-crested Jay, Cyanocorax melanocyaneus

San Blas Jay, Cyanocorax sanblasianus

Yucatan Jay, Cyanocorax yucatanicus

Purplish-backed Jay, Cyanocorax beecheii

Purplish Jay, Cyanocorax cyanomelas

Azure Jay, Cyanocorax caeruleus

Violaceous Jay, Cyanocorax violaceus

Curl-crested Jay, Cyanocorax cristatellus

Azure-naped Jay, Cyanocorax heilprini

Cayenne Jay, Cyanocorax cayanus

Plush-crested Jay, Cyanocorax chrysops

White-naped Jay, Cyanocorax cyanopogon

White-tailed Jay, Cyanocorax mystacalis

Black-collared Jay, Cyanolyca armillata

Turquoise Jay, Cyanolyca turcosa

White-collared Jay, Cyanolyca viridicyana

Azure-hooded Jay, Cyanolyca cucullata

Beautiful Jay, Cyanolyca pulchra

Black-throated Jay, Cyanolyca pumilo

Dwarf Jay, Cyanolyca nana

Silvery-throated Jay, Cyanolyca argentigula

White-throated Jay, Cyanolyca mirabilis Also see treepies, magpies, nutcrackers, and crows.
Jays in culture

Slang
The word "jay" has an archaic meaning in American slang meaning an impertinent person.
The term jaywalking was coined in 1915 to label persons crossing a busy street carelessly and becoming a traffic hazard. (External Link) Eventually the behavior became defined as illegal in many communities in the USA. Eventually, traffic control regulations were introduced that would levy a fine against pedestrians who were not using the delineated crosswalks marked on streets, but rather, cutting across traffic where they pleased. A public relations campaign began in the 1950s as the new regulations were introduced in Manhattan and many communities across the country instituted similar laws. Rarely is the regulation exercised.
The term began to imply recklessness or impertinent behavior as the convention became established. .
Organizational symbols

The Toronto Blue Jays, a Major League Baseball team, is based in Toronto, Ontario.

The Arizona Jays, a World Football League team is a member of the Pacific Conference.Further Information
Get more info on 'Jay'.

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