This is bird note. A flock of jays is emerging at the forest edge. Their heads are blue and white,

with a long black crest curling forward. As they glide out from the trees, the whole bird

becomes visible, white bellies and blue backs. Their spectacular tails are about as long as the rest of their bodies.

They're called white-throated magpie jays, named for the long tail reminiscent of a magpie's.

Found in much of Central America, white-throated magpie jay flocks are family groups led by a dominant female.

They include a mate and several female offspring that bring food to the primary female and her young.

It's an example of cooperative breeding, when birds other than the parents help out to raise young.

Magpie jays have an astonishing vocal system. Male magpie jays are the big talkers. Each one may use more than 60 vocalizations.

Nearly 50 species of jays are found around the world, each distinctive, each with its own complex society.

For bird note, I'm Michael Stein.