Published In
Huitzil Revista Mexicana De Ornitología
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-11-2025
Abstract
Corvids are opportunistic omnivores and facultative scavengers, but there are no direct records of Cyanocorax species scavenging on carrion. We documented opportunistic feeding behavior of the White-throated Magpie-Jay (Cyanocorax formosus) on a road-killed Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis) in northwestern Costa Rica. On 25 August 2023, we observed three White-throated Magpie-Jays feeding on the carcass of a Common Pauraque, likely killed by collision with a vehicle, along a gravel road near the Taboga Forestry Reserve. This provides de first documented evidence of the White-throated Magpie-Jay scavenging on roadkill, and of carrion consumption by a Central American corvid. Given the White-throated Magpie-Jay's adaptability and its opportunistic nature as an omnivorous predator, this species may exploit roadkill as a readily available food source.
Rights
Copyright (c) 2025 The Authors
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
DOI
10.28947/hrmo.2024.25.2.796
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44097
Publisher
Sociedad para el Estudio y Conservacion de las Aves en Mexico A.C.
Citation Details
Astorga-Acuña, J. de D., & Mora Benavides, J. M. (2025). Roadkill scavenging behavior of White-throated Magpie-Jay (Cyanocorax formosus) in northwestern Costa Rica. Huitzil Revista Mexicana de Ornitología, 25(2), e675.