Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
(Pinyon
Jay)
Physical
Description:
9-11 3/4"
(23-30 cm). Blues and grays fading into one another; throat streaked with light
gray; black, spike-like bill; legs and eyes black.
Similar Species- Other jays, Mountain Bluebird
Song:
A
high-pitched caaa, sometimes sounds like wicked laughter.
Distribution:
Resident
from central Oregon, east-central Montana, and western South Dakota, south to
northern Baja California, central Nevada, and western Oklahoma. Occurs irregularly
to southern Washington, northern Idaho, southwestern Saskatchewan, Great Basin
and parts of Midwest, and portions of Mexico.
Habitat:
Found in pinyon/juniper
woodlands, less frequently in pine. When not breeding, also found in scrub oak
and sagebrush.
Diet:
Eats pinyon and other pine
seeds, berries, small seeds, and grain. Also eats larvae, nymphs, and adults
of insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and ants. May eat birds'
eggs and hatchlings.
Ecology:
Gregarious
; forms complex social
organizations. Forages on ground or in foliage. May cache seeds communally and
live in loose flock (flock has an established
home range but may wander to other areas in search of food). Builds cup-shaped
nest in juniper or pine. Breeds in loose, scattered colonies. During nesting
season, flocks of yearlings may form. Nesting success is often low due to predation
or severe weather.
Reproduction:
Female incubates 3-6 eggs (usually 3-4),
for 15-17 days. Nestlings are altricial, are tended by both adults,
and leave nest in about 3 wk. Adults remain paired throughout year. In Arizona
study, pair bonds were apparently monogamous, perennial, and lasted average of
2.5 yr; males initiated breeding at average age of 2 yr, females at 1.6 yr,
and deserted females were incapable of rearing offspring. Idaho study found
jays had very low nesting success due to predation by Northern Harriers and
Black-billed Magpies.
Conservation:
| Element Code: | ABPAV07010 |
| Status: | Protected nongame species |
| Global Rank: | G5 |
| State Rank: | S2 |
| National Rank: | N5 |
Important
State References:
Brody, A. 1992.
The sociality of pinon jays with and without pinon pine. M.S. Thesis, Idaho
St. Univ., Pocatello. 179pp.