The Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) is a jay between the North American Blue Jay and the Eurasian Jay in size. Its overall proportions are very Nutcracker-like and indeed this can be seen as convergent evolution as both birds fill similar ecological niches. A bluish-grey coloured bird with deeper head colouring and whitish throat with black bill, legs and feet.

Distribution map

This species occurs in western North America from central Oregon to northern Baja California and east as far as western Oklahoma though it wanders further afield out of the breeding season. It lives in foothills where the pinyon pines Pinus edulis and Pinus monophylla occur.

When foraging for food, this species often forms very large flocks of up to 250 birds and several birds always seem to keep sentry watching out for predators while their companions are feeding. The seed of the Pinyon pine is the staple food but they supplement their diet with fruits and berries. Insects of many types are also eaten and sometimes caught with its feet.

The nest is always part of a colony but never more than one nest in a tree. Sometimes the colony can cover quite extensive areas with a single nest in each tree (usually juniper, live oak or pine). There are usually 3-4 eggs laid, quite early in the season. Incubation is usually 16 days. The male bird normally brings food near to the nest and the female flies to him to receive it and take back to the nest to feed the chicks that fledge around 3 weeks later. The pair normally only feed their own young but once they reach near fledging size, they can sometimes receive a meal from any passing member of the colony which can continue for some time after leaving the nest.

The voice is describes as a rhythmic krawk-kraw-krawk repeated two or three times.

External image link

• Pinyon Jay