Editing Ground jay

{{Short description|Genus of birds}}
{{Automatic Taxobox
| name = Ground jays
| image = Turkestan Ground-Jay.jpg
| image_caption  = Turkestan ground jay
| taxon = Podoces
| authority = [[Johann Fischer von Waldheim|Fischer von Waldheim]], 1821
| type_species = ''[[Turkestan ground jay|Podoces panderi]]''<ref name=HM4>{{cite web |url= https://www.aviansystematics.org/4th-edition-checklist?viewfamilies=151 |title= Corvidae |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= aviansystematics.org |publisher= The Trust for Avian Systematics |access-date= 2023-07-16}}</ref>
| type_species_authority = Fischer von Waldheim, 1821
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = 
*''[[Mongolian ground jay|Podoces hendersoni]]''
*''[[Xinjiang ground jay|Podoces biddulphi]]''
*''[[Pleske's ground jay|Podoces pleskei]]''
*''[[Turkestan ground jay|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 [[bird flight|flight]] (which they do infrequently and relatively weakly), they prefer running, and will readily perch on trees and bushes also.

==Species list==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Image !! Scientific name !! Common Name !! Distribution
|-
|[[File:Mongolian Ground Jay (Podoces hendersoni) - Хулан жороо (16566349299).jpg|200px]] || ''Podoces hendersoni'' || [[Mongolian ground jay]]  || Mongolia, northern China and adjacent areas of Russia and Kazakhstan
|-
|[[File:PodocesBiddulphiKeulemans.jpg|200px]] || ''Podoces biddulphi'' || [[Xinjiang ground jay]] ||  China
|-
| [[File:Podoces pleskei 199125839.jpg|200px]]
|| ''Podoces pleskei'' || [[Pleske's ground jay]]  || Iran. 
|-
|[[File:Turkestan Ground-Jay.jpg|200px]] || ''Podoces panderi'' || [[Turkestan ground jay]]  || Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
|-
|}

The [[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 [[tit (bird)|Paridae]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Corvidae|1}}
{{Corvides|Co.|state=collapsed}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1991447}}

[[Category:Podoces]]