Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
adult
The Pinyon Jay is a slim-bodied, slender-billed songbird. The sexes are similar. Adults are dull blue overall, darkest on the crown, back, and wings, and palest on the throat and belly. A close view reveals faint streaking on the throat. The bill is dark and the legs are blackish. Juveniles are uniformly pale blue-gray and much duller overall than adult birds.
The Pinyon Jay is a widespread but declining resident of mountain ranges in the Midwest region. If you see one Pinyon Jay then you are likely to see dozens: It nests colonially and outside the breeding season it gathers in flocks, these occasionally numbering 100 or more birds.
adult
FACT FILE
LENGTH 10.5 in (26.5 cm)
FOOD Mainly pine seeds, which it stores, but also an opportunistic feeder (insects, fruit, seeds, etc.)
HABITAT Upland pinyon–juniper forests
STATUS Widespread and fairly common resident
VOICE Calls include a nasal, quail-like huah-keeh-keeh
