It is endemic to a small area of the Sierra Madre Occidental of Sinaloa, Durango, and Nayarit in Mexico.

Its diet consists primarily of berries and fruit, and to a lesser extent insects such as katydids.

The tufted jay's breeding season starts in late March, with a clutch of two to five eggs being laid in a nest that is cooperatively built by members of the flock.

The tufted jay is considered near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Due to its very limited range, the species was not discovered during previous collection expeditions, despite them passing within 56 km (35 mi) of its habitat.

[4] In his initial description of the tufted jay, Moore noted that its geographically closest relative in the genus Cyanocorax was found in Costa Rica, but that it most closely resembled the white-tailed jay found in Ecuador over 4,800 km (3,000 mi) away.

[9] In 1979, ornithologist Paul Haemig elaborated on a hypothesis by Jean Théodore Delacour, published in 1944, that the two jays were actually the same species.

[14] This study determined that the most likely explanation for the geographical gap between the tufted jay and its South American relatives was due to a widely distributed common ancestor.

[14] The following cladogram (simplified from the 2010 study) shows the relationship between species in the Cyanocorax genus.

The back and wings are a purplish blue which extends partway down the tail, transitioning to white about halfway down.

Immature birds have shorter crests, lack the white spot above their eyes, and have bright blue cheeks and brown irises.

[23] Prior to copulation, breeding pairs of tufted jays make a duet call.

These duets are repeated roughly every 20 seconds, with a soft call described as a "whisper" interspersed between repetitions.

[25][26] Within this mountain range, they can be found in eastern Sinaloa, western Durango, and northern Nayarit.

Flock members make frequent trips from their foraging area back to the nest.

Flocks typically consist of a single breeding pair, other secondary adults, and several juvenile birds.

[37] Conversely, other species such as white-eared hummingbirds and Aztec thrushes have been observed mobbing tufted jays.

[21] The tufted jay is listed as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Since the population of the tufted jay is relatively restricted geographically, the primary threats to its survival are habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion, deforestation from logging and the cultivation of narcotics, and forest fires.

The tufted jay is known to be hunted or killed by humans, such as those involved in the narcotic cultivation or by children.

Climate change is likely to result in future prolonged droughts, which could cause a significant decrease in the tufted jay's population.

[1] While there are no active conservation plans in place for the tufted jay,[1] they are considered endangered by the Mexican government, and at great risk of extinction by Partners in Flight.

A large number of tufted jays are found near here, and the conservation plan aims to encourage ecotourism and education while limiting logging activities.