The Bushy-crested Jay has a raised crown, a black hood, and blue wings and tail. It forages in flocks for insects, seeds, and fruit.
When the crown feathers are raised, the head looks bulky. The hood extends from the head over the upper mantle and breast; the wings and tail are blue. Underparts are indigo to blue in C. m. melanocyaneus and black in C. m. chavezi.
It forages in flocks and eats insects, seeds, and fruit. The account records it in mixed woodland, coffee plantations, and other wooded habitats.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.