Nucifraga caryocatactes; Print; The spotted nutcracker; Eurasian nutcracker; or just nutcracker; (Nucifraga caryocatactes) is a passerine bird slightly larger than the Eurasian jay. It has a much larger bill and a slimmer looking head without any crest. The feathering over its body is predominantly a chocolate brown with distinct white spots and streaks. The wings and upper tail are virtually black with a greenish-blue gloss. It is one of three species of nutcracker. The large-spotted nutcracker (Nucifraga multipunctata); was formerly considered a subspecies of spotted. The other member of the genus; Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana); occurs in western North America.; 1700-1880