Black-throated Magpie-Jay look-alikes
Calocitta colliei
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Open the appSeveral birds can be mistaken for the Black-throated Magpie-Jay. Compare the key differences below to confirm your sighting.
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White-throated Magpie-Jay
Calocitta formosa
Key differences
The White-throated Magpie-Jay (C. formosa) has an entirely white throat and breast, lacking the extensive black bib present in the Black-throated Magpie-Jay. Its crest is also typically less spiky and consists of shorter, more erectile feathers.
Purplish-backed Jay
Cyanocorax beecheii
Key differences
While also a jay found in western Mexico, the Purplish-backed Jay lacks the extremely long tail and prominent crest of the Black-throated Magpie-Jay. It has entirely black underparts, a shorter tail, and a purplish-blue back. It also typically has a yellow eye.
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