Distribution of pinyon jay gymnorhinus cyanocephalus in chihuahua, Mexico: New records and environmental characterization

Abstract

We report new records of Pinyon Jay Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) in Chihuahua, northern Mexico. All were made at Rancho Canoas, in the municipality of Gómez Farías, Chihuahua, involving more than 50 individuals between October 2014 and October 2015. Despite being considered a casual visitor to the Alta Babícora Basin, the presence of G. cyanocephalus may reflect the abundant Pinus cembroides in this region, as the species primarily inhabits forests of pine and Juniperus. We discuss the species' current and historical status, based on the published literature, online databases, and unpublished sightings from experienced birdwatchers. We compared the environmental parameters of available records across the species' geographic range with those in Chihuahua, and found no climatic differences between them.