Black-throated Magpie-Jay is native to Mexico, but a few individuals have established a very small colony in San Diego close to the Mexican border. Measuring some 27 inches to the tip of its very long tail, this is an unusually striking bird with brilliant blue color, contrasting black cheek and throat, white underparts, and a prominent curved black and white head plume.
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Black-throated Magpie-Jay
Tijuana River Valley Bird & Butterfly Garden, San Diego, CA
September 5, 2014 ©John Schwarz
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Black-throated Magpie-Jay
Tijuana River Valley Bird & Butterfly Garden, San Diego, CA
September 5, 2014 ©John Schwarz
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Black-throated Magpie-Jay
Tijuana River Valley Bird & Butterfly Garden, San Diego, CA
September 5, 2014 ©John Schwarz
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Black-throated Magpie-Jay
Tijuana River Valley Bird & Butterfly Garden, San Diego, CA
September 5, 2014 ©John Schwarz
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Black-throated Magpie-Jay
Tijuana River Valley Bird & Butterfly Garden, San Diego, CA
September 5, 2014 ©John Schwarz
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Black-throated Magpie-Jay
Tijuana River Valley Bird & Butterfly Garden, San Diego, CA
September 5, 2014 ©John Schwarz
Amazing! I live in this area and just spotted three of these gorgeous and very noisy birds in my yard. I had never seen them before 🙂
I would be very interested in knowing exactly where you have seen them if it is other than the place described on this page.
This is 2020. Are these birds still present in the San Diego Area or has the population died out?
They are still present. Last report on Ebird is March 20, 2020
Are the Black throated magpie jays still at the Bird and Butterfly garden?
September 6, 2020?
If so, when and where is my best chance to see them? Years ago I saw them near the small, now closed ranger hut.
The most recent report on ebird is 10/20/2020
Sighted 2/12/23, same location
My coworkers and I just spotted this beautiful bird in Mission Valley, San Diego outside our office building this past Wednesday.
April 2024 – spotted an adult in the Bird and Butterfly Garden near the border 🙂
Thanks for reporting that they are still there!