Pinyon Jay Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Mexican Jay
Adult
Mexican Jays have a longer tail, a shorter bill, and less blue on the chest than Pinyon Jays.
© Richard Fray | Macaulay LibraryArizona, March 06, 2017Similar Species
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay
Adult (Woodhouse's)
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays have a longer tail than the short-tailed Pinyon Jay. They are also brighter blue on the head and back than Pinyon Jays.
© Chris Wood | Macaulay LibraryColorado, November 22, 2012Similar Species
California Scrub-Jay
Adult
California Scrub-Jays have a longer tail and are brighter blue above with a darker gray back than Pinyon Jays.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 02, 2011Main Species
Pinyon Jay
Adult
Smaller, crestless jay with a long sharply pointed bill and shorter tail. Entirely dull blue, except for whitish chin.
© Andrew Spencer | Macaulay LibraryNevada, December 13, 2020Adult
The bill is longer and the tail shorter than other jays. Dull bluish gray overall.
© Milton Vine | Macaulay LibraryOregon, October 16, 2017Adult/immature
Eats seeds, plants, insects, acorns, and visits bird feeders.
© Dennis Arendt | Macaulay LibraryOregon, May 02, 2019Not all videos have sound
Adult
Crestless dull blue jay with a long, pointed bill and short tail.
© Joachim Bertrands | Macaulay LibraryColorado, April 16, 2018Juvenile
From below often looks grayish. Uses its long, pointed bill to access pine seeds.
© Glenn Kincaid | Macaulay LibraryUtah, May 13, 2020Adult/immature
Eats seeds, plants, insects, acorns, and visits bird feeders.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryMontana, June 01, 2001Not all videos have sound
Flock
Highly social. Breeds in colonies and forages in large flocks.
© Mike "mlovest" Miller | Macaulay LibraryArizona, November 12, 2017Habitat
Found in groups in pinyon-juniper woodland, sagebrush, scrub oak, and chaparral.
© Ryan O'Donnell | Macaulay LibraryUtah, March 15, 2009Adult
Forms large, often noisy flocks.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryMontana, June 01, 2001Not all videos have sound
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Species in This Family
Crows, Jays, and Magpies(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Corvidae)
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