Pinyon Jay

Pinyon Jay

Taxobox
name = Pinyon Jay
status = VU
status_system = iucn3.1


image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Corvidae
genus = "Gymnorhinus"
species = "G. cyanocephalus"
binomial = "Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus"
binomial_authority = Wied, 1841
range_



range_map_width = 250px
range_map_caption = Distribution (all-year resident)

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

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.

This species is highly social, often forming very large flocks of 250 or more birds, and several birds always seem to act as sentries for the flock, 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 there is 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 Pinyon Jay was first collected, recorded and described as a species from a specimen shot along the Maria River in Northern Montana during the Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied, Expedition to the Interior of North America in 1833.

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

External image link

* [http://a1410.g.akamai.net/f/1410/1633/7d/209.133.64.45/birds/birds_l/BD0028_1l.jpgPinyon Jay]
* [http://www.natureserve.org/infonatura/servlet/InfoNatura?sourceTemplate=Ltabular_report.wmt&loadTemplate=Ldetail_report.wmt&selectedReport=&summaryView=Ltabular_report.wmt&elKey=101291&paging=home&save=true&startIndex=1&nextStartIndex=1&reset=false&offPageSelectedElKey=101291&offPageSelectedElType=species&offPageYesNo=true&selectedIndexes=101291 Article & RangeMaps] InfoNatura, NatureServe
* [http://vireo.acnatsci.org/search.html?Form=Search&SEARCHBY=Common&KEYWORDS=pinyon+jay&showwhat=images&AGE=All&SEX=All&ACT=All&Search=Search&VIEW=All&ORIENTATION=All&RESULTS=24 Pinyon Jay photo gallery] VIREO

References

* Database entry includes a range map, a brief justification of why this species is vulnerable, and the criteria used


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • pinyon jay — noun : piñon bird * * * a grayish blue, uncrested jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus, found in mountainous parts of the western U.S. Also called piñon jay. [1885 90, Amer.] * * * pinyon jay, a grayish blue jay, having no crest, found especially in… …   Useful english dictionary

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  • pinyon jay — pušinis kėkštas statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus angl. pinyon jay vok. Nacktschnabelhäher, m rus. западноамериканская сойка, f pranc. geai des pinèdes, m ryšiai: platesnis terminas – pušiniai… …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • pinyon jay — a grayish blue, uncrested jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus, found in mountainous parts of the western U.S. Also called piñon jay. [1885 90, Amer.] * * * …   Universalium

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