Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Apparent predation by Gray Jays, Perisoreus canadensis, on Long-toed Salamanders, Ambystoma macrodactylum, in the Oregon Cascade Range

January 1, 2005
We report observations of Gray Jays (Perisoreus canadensis) appearing to consume larval Long-toed Salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum) in a drying subalpine pond in Oregon, USA. Corvids are known to prey upon a variety of anuran amphibians, but to our knowledge, this is the first report of predation by any corvid on aquatic salamanders. Long-toed Salamanders appear palatable to Gray Jays, and may provide a food resource to Gray Jays when salamander larvae are concentrated in drying temporary ponds.
Publication Year 2005
Title Apparent predation by Gray Jays, Perisoreus canadensis, on Long-toed Salamanders, Ambystoma macrodactylum, in the Oregon Cascade Range
DOI 10.22621/cfn.v119i2.116
Authors M.P. Murray, C.A. Pearl, R.B. Bury
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Canadian Field-Naturalist
Index ID 70029025
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center