Distribution Map - Gray Jay (Perisoreus canadensis)

GAP Analysis Predicted Distribution Map

Gray Jay (Perisoreus canadensis)

Species Code: PECA

Breeding Range Map
The green area shows the predicted habitats for breeding only.
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Predicted breeding range

= Core Habitat
= Marginal Habitat

Fact Sheet: Basic (Grades K-6) | Advanced

Breeding Range Map
The green area shows the predicted habitats for breeding only. The habitats were identified using 1991 satellite imagery, Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA), other datasets and experts throughout the state, as part of the Washington Gap Analysis Project. Habitats used during non-breeding months and migratory rest-stops were not mapped.

Observations | Historic Gap points

Metadata (Data about data or how the map was made)

Habitat

This Jay is common in moderate and high elevation conifer forests throughout the state and locally at lower elevations in western Washington in coastal rain forests of the Olympic Peninsula, Willapa Hills, and the Fort Lewis area (Pierce/Thurston Counties). Gray Jays require mid-to late-seral coniferous forests.

Core zones on the west side included parts of all forested zones (except the Willamette valley zone), plus Alpine/Parkland, but the Gray Jay was excluded by range limits from most of the Puget-Willamette Trough. Core zones on the east side were those above the Ponderosa Pine zone along the east Cascades and in northeastern Washington and the Sub-alpine Fir zone of the Blue Mountains.

Three subspecies of the Gray Jay are known to breed in Washington: on the Olympic Peninsula, the Cascades, in northeastern Washington and the Blue Mountains. For the most part, this species does not breed below 2000 feet, and generally is found from 3000 feet up to the treeline throughout the state.

Translated from the Washington Gap Analysis Bird Volume by Uchenna Bright
Text edited by Gussie Litwer
Webpage designed by Dave Lester