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Crows (Corvidae)

Crested Jay (Platylophus galericulatus) - HBW 14, p. 566

French: Geai longup German: Spanish: Arrendajo Crestado
Other common names: Malay Jay, Crested Shrike-jay; Malay Crested Jay (malaccensis); Sumatran Crested Jay (coronatus); Javan Crested Jay (galericulatus)

Taxonomy: Corvus galericulatus Cuvier, 1816, Java.
Affiliations uncertain, and molecular-genetic studies have not yet shed light on its relationships. Originally allied with shrikes (Laniidae), and has been suggested as being closest to the helmet-shrikes (Prionopidae) and perhaps better placed within that family or with bush-shrikes (Malaconotidae). Unlike other members of present family, has distinctive very long crest, lacks obvious nasal tuft but has long rictal bristles (leaving nostrils exposed), and has spotted and barred juvenile and immature plumages. Until further information becomes available, however, probably best treated as a pr.. View all taxonomy...

Taxonomy: Corvus galericulatus Cuvier, 1816, Java.
Affiliations uncertain, and molecular-genetic studies have not yet shed light on its relationships. Originally allied with shrikes (Laniidae), and has been suggested as being closest to the helmet-shrikes (Prionopidae) and perhaps better placed within that family or with bush-shrikes (Malaconotidae). Unlike other members of present family, has distinctive very long crest, lacks obvious nasal tuft but has long rictal bristles (leaving nostrils exposed), and has spotted and barred juvenile and immature plumages. Until further information becomes available, however, probably best treated as a primitive member of current family. Some confusion has existed over names applied to races; proposed names scapulatus and ardesiacus (both with vague type localities restricted to Java) are junior synonyms of nominate. Race lemprieri possibly part of a cline and perhaps of doubtful validity. Four subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

  • malaccensis Cabanis, 1866 - Malay Peninsula.
  • coronatus ( Raffles, 1822) - Sumatra and most of Borneo (except N).
  • lemprieri Nicholson, 1883 - N Borneo.
  • galericulatus ( Cuvier, 1816) - Java.

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