White-throated Magpie-jay (Calocitta formosa)

The White-throated Magpie-jay (Calocitta formosa) is a large Central American species of magpie-jay. It ranges in Pacific-slope thorn forest from Jalisco, Mexico to Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Magpie-jays are noisy, gregarious birds, often traveling in easy-to-find flocks, mobbing their observers.

The first 2 pics are taken in Huatulco, last 2 were near Granada, Nicaragua.

IMG_4992a IMG_4991a IMG_5203a IMG_5204aGiven their large range from southern Mexico to mid Costa Rica, the chances are good to see these beauties.  On our cruise, we saw them in Huatulco and Granada, near San Juan del Sur.  In some resorts in Costa Rica, apparently they seek out tourists for free food (see video below).

Magpie-jay

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BIRD

Wikipedia

Birdlife

CornellLab

VIDEOS

Cookies aren’t the best thing to be offering to wild birds but I was really surprised at how aggressive this guy was after seeing the shy birds in Huatulco and Nicaragua.

Nice close up of a more wild bird, you also hear the call.