Species profile
About this species
The Green Jay is a strikingly colourful corvid found across parts of Central America & northern South America, as well as a disjunct population in southern Texas. It displays vivid green, blue, yellow & black plumage, making it one of the most visually distinctive members of the jay family. It is a highly social & intelligent bird, often seen foraging in family groups through forest edges & scrubland.
Green Jays favour tropical & subtropical forest edges, dense scrubland, thornscrub & riparian woodland, typically at low to middle elevations across their range in Central America & southern Texas.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Green Jay with us in Colombia.
These departures are part of our South America programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Early morning during spring & summer offers the best light & most active behaviour, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas where birds are most accessible to visiting photographers.
Position yourself near fruiting trees or feeding stations where Green Jays congregate, as this allows close & relatively relaxed shooting opportunities. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1000s to freeze the bird's quick movements amongst foliage, & aim for a wide aperture to separate the subject from the busy background. Pay attention to light angle, as the iridescent green & blue plumage is best rendered in soft directional morning light rather than harsh midday sun.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Green Jay
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.