Systematics
A recent decision by the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list Committee elevated some populations of the Mexican Jay to a separate species, called the Transvolcanic Jay (A. ultramarina), based on diagnosable phenotypic differences in plumage and morphology, millions of years of genetic divergence, and no evidence for interbreeding with Mexican Jays. The Transvolcanic Jay inhabits montane forest in the Transvolcanic Belt of central Mexico. Populations to the north retained the common name Mexican Jay, but the Latin name changed to A. wollweberi. This was because the type specimen was a Transvolcanic Jay, meaning that this species had precedent for the original Latin name A. ultramarina.
Thus, as of this decision, there are now five described subspecies of Mexican Jays that are divided into three divergent groups (see below). Marked differences in size, color, vocalizations, and genetics have led some authors to consider at least two of these groups as separate species (East and West; Navarro-Sigüenza and Peterson 2004). The three groups inhabit three distinct mountainous regions in northern and central Mexico. Genetic breaks in mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA occur abruptly between the groups, indicating some barriers to genetic exchange (McCormack et al. 2008). Size variation among the groups does not always follow Bergman's Rule, with more southerly populations in the Sierra Madre Oriental being larger than populations to the north. Mexican Jays do not seem to follow Gloger's Rule either as populations in arid habitat in southwestern Texas are very blue. On the other hand, Mexican jays in Arizona - also arid habitat - have a washed-out appearance, in accordance with Gloger's Rule.
Western group
Sierra Madre Occidental in northern north to central Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Southern and eastern limits in Jalisco deserve further study. Juveniles have a pink/pale base to the otherwise black bill for up to two years. Eggs are pale green-blue and unspeckled, unlike Eastern group where speckled eggs are common.
- Aphelocoma wollweberi gracilis
- E Nayarit and N Jalisco
- Smallest of the Western subspecies with a distinct, high-pitched vocalization* Aphelocoma wollweberi wollweberi
- Durango and Zacatecas
- Intermediate in size
- Aphelocoma wollweberi arizonae
- Sonora and Chihuahua north to Arizona and New Mexico, USA
- Large and most pale of all subspecies.
Eastern group
Sierra Madre Oriental in Nuevo León and W Tamaulipas north to Texas (Chisos Mountains). Juveniles have an all-black exterior to the bill after fledging, but roof of inner upper mandible can remain partially white for up to two years. Reports of less social behavior compared to other groups are over-stated and credible accounts of cooperative breeding (Ligon and Husar 1974) and large flock sizes (Bhagabati and Horvath 2006) exist. Plain, speckled, and even white eggs have been observed in a single study area (McCormack and Berg 2010).
- Aphelocoma wollweberi couchii
- Smaller than preceding. Population of latter species distinguishable by more contrasting markings and ecological preferences (lowland birds). Egg color may range from plain blue to nile blue with pale brownish speckling, most heavy on blunt half. Gives rattle call similar to Cyanocitta and Western Scrub-Jays.
Central Plateau group
Central Plateau in Queretaro, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi, and eastern Jalisco. Similar to Eastern group but larger in most features. Distinguishable in morphology and plumage in ~80% of specimens. There is an area of apparent hybridization in San Luis Potosi that deserves study.
- Aphelocoma wollweberi potosina
Read more about this topic: Mexican Jay