Azure-naped Jay

The azure-naped jay (Cyanocorax heilprini) is a species of bird in the family Corvidae. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. == Taxonomy == The Azure-naped jay was first described by Alan F. Gentry based on a single specimen, marked as a male, from the T. B. Wilson Collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. The genus Cyanocorax comes from the Ancient Greek kuanos (dark blue) and korax (raven). The species epithet heilprini honours Gentry's friend, Professor Angelo Heilprin. There are two identified subspecies: C. h. heilprini. The nominate subspecies. C. h. hafferi. This subspecies, Campina Jay, was described as a new species in 2013, but the South American Classification Committee of the American Ornithologists' Union did not support the proposal. == Description == The back is dark brown, as are the upper sides of the wings and tail. The rear crown and nape are bright lavender blue. The front and sides of the head are black, with the feathers of the forecrown and forehead curled up and forwards in a short bushy crest. From the chin to the centre of…