Pinyon Jay
Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyCorvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
- GenusGymnorhinus (Pinyon Jays)
- SpeciesGymnorhinus cyanocephalus (Pinyon Jay)
About the Pinyon Jay
The pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) is a species of jay, and is the only member of the genus Gymnorhinus. Native to Western North America, the species ranges from central Oregon to northern Baja California, and eastward as far as western Oklahoma, though wanderers are often sighted beyond this range. It is typically found within foothills, especially where pinyon pines (Pinus edulis and Pinus monophylla) occur.
The pinyon jay is a bluish-grey coloured bird with deeper head colouring and whitish throat with black bill, legs and feet. Roughly intermediate between the blue jay and the Eurasian jay in size, its overall proportions are similar to Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) and this can be seen as convergent evolution, as both birds fill similar ecological niches. They were once known as "blue crows".
The pinyon jay was first collected, recorded, and first described as a species from a specimen shot along the Marias River in what is now northern Montana during the Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied expedition to the interior of North America in 1833. A historical marker at LaHood Park on the Jefferson river in Montana, however, claims... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Pinyon Jay in Grand Canyon National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Grand Canyon National Park
Common Raven
Corvus corax
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay
Aphelocoma woodhouseii
Steller's Jay
Cyanocitta stelleri
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Clark's Nutcracker
Nucifraga columbiana
Mountain Chickadee
Poecile gambeli
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
Western Bluebird
Sialia mexicana
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
Violet-green Swallow
Tachycineta thalassina
Spotted Towhee
Pipilo maculatus
Juniper Titmouse
Baeolophus ridgwayi
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua Tree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Yosemite National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Pinyon Jay in Grand Canyon National Park?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Pinyon Jay sighting in Grand Canyon National Park, based on 661 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Pinyon Jay in Grand Canyon National Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for Pinyon Jay in Grand Canyon National Park in our monthly data.