Transvolcanic Jay

The Transvolcanic jay (Aphelocoma ultramarina) , is a species of bird in the family Corvidae, the crows and jays. It is endemic to Mexico. == Taxonomy and systematics == What is now the species Aphelocoma ultramarina was originally described in 1825 as Corvus ultramarinus. It was long called the Mexican jay and included what are now the several subspecies of Aphelocoma wollweberi. Taxonomic systems began separating them in 2011 based on differences in plumage and morphology, millions of years of genetic divergence, and no evidence of interbreeding. Aphelocoma ultramarina was then named the Transvolcanic jay and confusingly Aphelocoma wollweberi retained the name Mexican jay. The Transvolcanic jay has two subspecies, the nominate A. u. ultramaria (Bonaparte, 1825) and A. u. colimae (Nelson, 1899). == Description == The Transvolcanic jay is 28 to 32 cm (11 to 13 in) long and weighs 120 to 150 g (4.2 to 5.3 oz). The sexes have the same plumage though males are slightly larger than females. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a mostly dark bluish head with black lores and a pale grayish throat. Their upperparts are bluish purple and their underparts dingy grayish white that is lightest on the undertail coverts. Subspecies…