Pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) nest site selection in central New Mexico

Abstract

Pinyon jays (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) are experiencing range wide population declines primarily in response to habitat degradation. More studies examining pinyon jay nest site selection in pinyon-juniper woodlands would be helpful in determining potential habitat management prescriptions. Therefore, we conducted a nest site selection study in pinyon jay breeding habitat in central New Mexico. We compared size and foliage characteristics of pinyon and juniper trees in 42 17.5-m radius plots around pinyon jay nests to 41 same-sized vegetation plots in random locations using binomial generalized linear models. The strongest model indicated that pinyon jays preferred nesting in areas with fewer dead juniper trees within pinyon-juniper habitats. In contrast to previous studies, pinyon jays tended to nest in juniper-dominated areas as opposed to pinyon-dominated areas, possibly in response to widespread pinyon mortality at the study site. Results suggest that pinyon jays may be able to adapt to climate-related pinyon mortality by shifting to juniper dominated habitat.