ABSTRACT
As the fastest declining pinyon-juniper bird species, the Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) has generated considerable interest and conservation concern. The Pinyon Jay is named for its mutualistic relationship with pinyon pines (Colorado pinyon [Pinus edulis], single-leaf pinyon [P. monophylla]). Pinyon Jays are critical to the establishment and maintenance of pinyon-juniper woodlands impacted by climate-related drought, fire, and insect outbreaks, a role that may be compromised by the birds’ declining abundance. Management for Pinyon Jays is an urgent need, and an improved understanding of their habitat ecology is a priority. Although Pinyon Jay social behavior has been well studied for decades, only recently has the habitat ecology of Pinyon Jays been investigated and only in New Mexico, the Great Basin, and the Colorado Plateau. Knowledge gaps remain, and less is known in other areas. Here we assemble and integrate information on Pinyon Jay habitat ecology from a diverse set of sources.