Pinyon Jay

Overview

The pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) is a bird species native to western North America and the sole member of the genus Gymnorhinus. It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Bluish-grey plumage with deeper colouring on the head and a whitish throat.
• Black bill, legs, and feet.
• Roughly intermediate in size between the blue jay and the Eurasian jay.

Habitat

This species is typically found in foothills, specifically within pinyon-juniper woodlands and low-elevation ponderosa pine forests in the southwestern United States. Its range extends from central Oregon to northern Baja California, and eastward as far as western Oklahoma, though wanderers are occasionally sighted further afield.

Diet

Pinyon jays primarily feed on pinyon pine seeds, which they eat on the spot or cache in the ground and tree crevices. They supplement this staple with fruits, berries, and insects, spending most of their time foraging for these food sources.

Did you know?

The pinyon jay was historically known as the 'blue crow' or Maximilian's jay.