canada jay

1. Bird Name: The English name of this captivating avian is the Canada Jay, while its scientific (Latin) name is Perisoreus canadensis.

2. Appearance: The Canada Jay is a small to medium-sized bird having a dark gray to black coloration covering its head and neck. The rest of its body, including the wings, is mostly light grey, while the underparts have a pale grey to white tone. Their eyes are deep black, offering a striking contrast to their pale plumage. The birds have rounded, short wings and a long tail. The beak is short, stout and black which makes it perfect for their omnivorous diet. They have soft and fluffy feathers that keep them warm during the harsh winter. There is almost no visible difference between males and females, making them sexually monomorphic.

3. Size: The Canada Jay averages about 30 cm (11.8 inches) in length. Their wingspan typically stretches to around 45 cm (17.7 inches). The weight of an average adult ranges from 65 grams to 70 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution: Primarily residents of North American cold coniferous forests, Canada Jays are found throughout Canada, Alaska, and some parts of the United States such as Maine, Minnesota, and Wyoming. In winter, they are known to descend to lower elevations. They prefer boreal and subalpine forests populated with spruces and pines.

5. Interesting Facts: These birds are quite fearless and have been known to approach humans for food, earning them the nickname ‘Camp Robber.’ Canada Jays store large amounts of food during the summer, anticipating the scarcity of winter. They have a unique ‘sticky’ saliva that allows them to ‘glue’ their food to crevices in the bark of trees. Canada jays are also the national bird of Canada.

6. Diet: Canada Jays have a versatile diet. They primarily feed on insects, berries, seeds, fungi, and small mammals. They are also known to be scavengers, consuming carrion and human leftovers when available.

7. Behavior & Sounds: Canada Jays are known to be curious and bold, often approaching humans at campgrounds. They are also monogamous and pairs stay together throughout the year. Their call is a soft, melodious whistle but can display a variety of other calls as well.

8. Conservation Status: The Canada Jay is classified as ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN Red List, indicating that they are not currently endangered or threatened.

9. Lifespan: The average lifespan of the Canada Jay in the wild is about 8 years, but they can live up to 17 years. In captivity, their lifespan can range from 15 to 20 years.

10. Additional Notes: In the indigenous language of the Cree First Nations people, the Canada Jay is known as “Wisakedjak”, which also refers to a benevolent trickster spirit in their mythology. These birds play an important role in forest ecosystems, helping in seed dispersal and controlling pest populations due to their insectivorous diet. Despite their ‘Least Concern’ status, they are facing threats from climate change as it impacts their food hoarding strategy and breeding success.