Crows and jays (Corvidae)
Pinyon Jay
Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus. Pinyon pine seeds, plus insects and juniper berries.
Crows and jays (Corvidae)Pinyon JayGymnorhinus cyanocephalus
- Scientific name
- Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
- Length
- 9–11.4 in
- Weight
- 3.2–4.3 oz
- Nest
- Cup in a pinyon or juniper, often loosely colonial
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 2–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 16–17 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Entirely blue-grey, uncrested jay
- Short tail and long, sharp bill
- Travels in big, noisy flocks
Voice
Nasal, laughing 'kaw-kaw-kaw' from moving flocks.
Diet and feeding
Pinyon pine seeds, plus insects and juniper berries.
Pinyon Jays by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Idaho | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Montana | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Nevada | Year-round resident | February–May |
| New Mexico | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Utah | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Wyoming | Year-round resident | March–May |
Frequently asked
What do pinyon jays eat?
Pinyon pine seeds, plus insects and juniper berries. At feeders: black-oil sunflower, peanuts, cracked corn.
How big is a Pinyon Jay?
9–11.4 in long and 3.2–4.3 oz.
Do pinyon jays use birdhouses?
No. Cup in a pinyon or juniper, often loosely colonial.
Sources
- Pinyon Jay — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Pinyon Jay life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Pinyon Jay — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.