Brown Jay /chara papán (Cyanocorax morio)
Voice: This noisy jay is often heard before making appearances at feeders. The common call is a loud, raucous, “POW… POW… POW….,” similar to the call of Red-shouldered Hawk, but slightly higher in pitch.
Habitat: In the U.S., Brown Jays are restricted to the dense woodlands along the Rio Grande from about Salineño to the woodlands below Falcon Dam.
Best Spots: The only recent spot to see these birds is at the El Rio RV Park feeders at Chapeno. Sporadically seen at the feeding stations near Salineno (and nearby Rio Grande woodlands), and the woodlands below Falcon Dam.
Similar Species: This jay is large, with brown upperparts and breast and white belly, is one of only two jays in range (the other being the strikingly patterned Green Jay). At a distance, it may be possible to confuse Brown Jay with a female Great-tailed Grackle, but for the most part it is unmistakable.
A speaker symbol next to the bird indicates that it has a sound file available.All Bird call recordings © John C. Arvin.
Call (956) 584-2731 to hear or submit an alert.
- Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley (Mission)
- Edinburg Scenic Wetlands
- Estero Llano Grande (Weslaco)
- Harlingen Arroyo Colorado
- Old Hidalgo Pumphouse
- Quinta Mazatlan (McAllen)
- Resaca de la Palma (Brownsville)
- Roma Bluffs
- South Padre Island Birding
and Nature Center
Welcome to a birder’s eye view of the seasons in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Enjoy our annual cycle! The resulting avifauna in deep South Texas is the most diverse north of the Mexican border. The four county area that makes up the lower Rio Grande Valley has recorded over 500 species of birds. This is more species of birds than have been recorded in all but two or three entire states. Small wonder that birders from across the continent make pilgrimages to the region. Happy Birding!
A "Bird Checklist" is a complete list of birds that have been seen or heard in a specific region like Texas or the Rio Grande Valley. Checklists can be used as a personal diary of your travels.
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