White-collared Jay

The white-collared jay is 30 to 34 cm (12 to 13 in) long and weighs 82 to 127 g (2.9 to 4.5 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies C. v. viridicyanus have a black forehead, lores, and sides of the head. Their forecrown is white that extends as a thin border around the black and below the throat. Their throat and middle of the upper breast are indigo that is almost black. Most of the rest of their plumage is cerulean blue that is slightly bluer on the crown and nape. The undersides of their wings and tail are blackish. Subspecies C. v. cyanolaema is bluer than the nominate, with an ultramarine-blue throat that has more contrast with the black face. C. v. jolyaea is the bluest of the three subspecies. Its white facial border is thinner than the nominate's, its throat and upper breast are cobalt-blue, and its chin is paler still. Its wings and tail have a greenish tinge. All subspecies have a dark brown iris, a black bill, and black legs and feet.

The white-collared jay is a bird of the eastern slope of the Andes. Subspecies C. v. jolyaea is the northernmost of the three. It is found from southern Amazonas Department south to Junín and northeastern Huancavelica departments. Subspecies C. v. cyanolaema is found in southern Peru from Ayacucho Department south to Cuzco and Puno departments. The nominate subspecies is found in the northwestern Bolivian departments of La Paz and Cochabamba. The white-collared jay inhabits humid montane forest including cloudforest and elfin forest. In Peru it ranges in elevation mostly between 2,200 and 3,500 m (7,200 and 11,500 ft) but occurs as low as 1,800 m (5,900 ft) south of the Marañón River.

The white-collared jay's diet has not been studied. It typically forages in pairs or small flocks and mostly from the forest's mid-story to its canopy.