You may know about the common North American blue jay, but if somebody told you they saw a green jay outside, would you believe them? Well if you live in Central or South America, or even as far north as parts of Texas, you should! A populous and unthreatened species of the New World Jays species, the green jay, or Cyanocorax yncas are small birds, normally not larger than 11.5 inches (29 cm) or up to about 13 inches (34 cm) in populations further south. Typically weighing no more than 4 ounces (110 g), they have a startling emerald green back with yellow/gold breasts.

Like many birds, green jays are opportunistic eaters that prefer to snack on small insects and worms, but will not hesitate to snap up all manner of seeds, grains and small fruits. In captivity, or around humans, they will even eat scraps of meat. They have strange and unique vocalizations, one of which has been likened to some kind of alarm.

Like other corvids, green jays are territorial animals who protect their nests, especially during breeding seasons. These green birds are social animals who live in large community groups. Interestingly, these jays, like most corvids, are known to have some of the largest brain-to-body weight rations among all birds, meaning green jays and their corvid cousins are bright birds that can memorize and learn from their parents, whom they spend more time with than some other species of birds.