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Pinyon Jays
Katy Penland

Pinyon Jays (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus)

This species has no "space bubble" around individuals, and they crowd into watering holes (like this tiny pond I built in my Arizona yard) and on feeders. I've had as many as 200 in the yard at a time, and have seen seasonal aggregations of 400+ birds in the trees surrounding our Arizona property. They're noisy, gregarious, beautiful and can devour a 3-pound suet cake in less than a day's time!
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Habitat
Mixed conifer/juniper
Location
Overgaard, Arizona, USA
Date taken
2004
Scientific name
Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
Equipment used
Canon EOS 1-N, 70-200mm, Fujichrome
Dr Manjeet Singh
Sis as expensive as my out-laws were food is conserned..lol...beautu\iful birds and a fine shot..:clap:..keep them coming you hear..lol.Regards.:t:
 
Katy Penland
Thanks very much, guys!

Hiya, Doc! I've missed hearing about your out-laws! I don't think they'd like gnawing on a suet cake so you might try feeding them one of those -- bet you'll save a LOT of money. LOL!
 
Deanneart
Wow, amazing about the numbers of these birds you get! Such beauties! thanks for the pic and the information. Wouldn't I love to photograph these lovelies!
 
Katy Penland
Thanks, Deanne! The Pinyons are nomadic within their very small (usually 6 sq. mi.) range, so they'll come into the yard for 2-3 weeks at a time before thankfully moving on to someone else's feeders.

LOL! They are interesting to watch in their interactions with other spp because other spp can't tolerate their proximity and the Pinyons will literally push all other spp out of the yard. Which is why after a few days I would start to discourage the Pinyons from coming in at all with loud clapping as soon as the first "scouts" show up. It takes a day, sometimes two, of consistent vigil until the Pinyons get tired of flushing every couple minutes and then move on. Then the other spp will come back in. Maybe that's harassment but it also came down to economics: I simply couldn't afford to have these huge flocks hanging around for weeks on end. LOL!
 

Media information

Category
North America
Added by
Katy Penland
Date added
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291
Comment count
7

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