Family Crows and Jays (Corvidae)
Vulnerable
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus)
Taxonomy
French: Geai des pinèdes German: Schlankschnabelhäher Spanish: Chara piñonera
Taxonomy:
Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
Wied
, 1841,Maria-River = between Marias River and Yellowstone River, Montana, USA
.Distribution:
W USA from C Oregon S along arid mountain slopes of E California to extreme NW Mexico (Baja California), E to Montana and Black Hills of South Dakota, Wyoming, W Nebraska, W Oklahoma and New Mexico.
Descriptive notes
26–29 cm; male 111 g, female 99 g. A dull blue jay with long sharply pointed bill and short tail. Male is dusty blue above, brighter blue on head, with greyer flight-... read more
Voice
Well-studied repertoire of at least 15 calls, enabling co-ordination of activities and recognition... read more
Habitat
Woodlands and forest where pinyon-juniper (Pinus-Juniperus), sagebrush (... read more
Food and feeding
An omnivore that specializes on pine seeds for much of year. Adults also eat variety of arthropods, including grasshoppers (Orthoptera),... read more
Breeding
Season begins early spring, from mid-Feb (even at high elevations), earliest in suburban settings, and may breed in autumn if green cones... read more
Movements
Flocks roam widely over large areas (up to 64 km2) and each autumn travel extensively, even... read more
Status and conservation
VULNERABLE. Locally common. Thought to have undergone rapid population decline throughout its range, apparently as a result of loss of and degradation of its pinyon-juniper... read more
Birds from Big Bear Valley (San Bernardino Mts), in California, described as race rostratus, but appear inseparable from those in rest of species’ range. Monotypic.