Ground jay

Taxobox
name = Ground jays

---

image_caption = Grey Ground Jay
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Corvidae
genus = "Podoces"
genus_authority = Fischer von Waldheim, 1821
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision =
*"Podoces hendersoni"
*"Podoces biddulphi"
*"Podoces pleskei"
*"Podoces panderi"

The ground jays or ground choughs belong to a distinct group of the passerine order of birds in the genus "Podoces" of the crow family Corvidae. They inhabit high altitude semi-desert areas from central Asia to Mongolia.

Ground jays show adaptations to ground living such as long, strong legs adapted to fast running and the ability to leap and bound onto boulders and rocks with great agility. Their long, curved thick bills are adapted for digging and probing.

While capable of flight (which they do infrequently and relatively weakly), they prefer running, and will readily perch on trees and bushes also.

pecies list

*Henderson's Ground Jay ("Podoces hendersoni")
*Biddulph's Ground Jay ("Podoces biddulphi")
*Persian Ground Jay ("Podoces pleskei")
*Grey Ground Jay ("Podoces panderi")

----

Hume's Ground Tit ("Pseudopodoces humilis"), previously Hume's Ground Jay, has changed its placement within the Passeriformes recently because of molecular and osteological testing. It has now been placed into the Paridae.

External links

* [http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1046/j.1474-919X.2003.00170.x/abs/ Link]